Inspiring stories of Financial Freedom

1/4/2008

We went through training with Crown over 20 years ago (when it was Christian Financial Concepts). As a result, we have eliminated all debt, including our home mortgage and have money saved for college for our children.

This past year has been a challenge due to the drought. Our business is weather sensitive and the lack of rain has affected us. Thankfully we have an emergency fund and should be able to come through the drought.

At any point over the last 20 years that we have experienced stress or frustration over money, it has been where we deviated from the methodical plan as represented by the Crown Money Map. Thanks for faithfully teaching God's way of handling money.

Brian, AL

1/5/2008

Jesus lead me to this ministry. I had educational debt, no savings, and very little undertanding about money and giving. I am now debt free, I have more money to give, and I am receiving more understanding about what God has to say about this area of life. I praise Him for helping you to share His ways and for pointing to Him. Thank you for helping to reinforce His teachings in my life.

Brian, NY

1/7/2008

Hi Howard,
It is a pleasure to share what first Larry Burkett and now Money Matters have done in my life. In 1986 I went through a difficult divorce. I was not in debt but starting from scratch financially. First I gave my life to the Lord. It was a radical salvation. God began giving me His goals and purpose for my life.

In 1988 the realestate market in Houston, TX was great for a buyer. I bought a house that was just my size and budget. I was working the evening shift at Shriners Hospital for Children. I began listening to Larry Burkett's radio program on my way to work. He told me I could be debt free, and I believed him. I began paying extra on the principle on my mortgage.

I paid off 20 years of the mortgage in 5 years. Then God touched the heart of my unsaved brother. He gave me a sum of money. He knew he was paying off my house and car but didn't know that he had included the tithe. I became debt free in 1994!!!

Little did I know that God had put that desire in my heart so I could go to the mission field. In 1996 I stepped off the plane in Guatemala as a full-time missionary. I was receiving rent from my house in Houston! All I knew was that I was to study Spanish and God would guide me to a ministry.

God guided me to a Mayan village on the side of a volcano above Antigua, Guatemala and opened my eyes to the needs of the disabled there, especially the children. They were not allowed in public schools. In 2000 I started a special education school with one teacher and 8 children. It is now a full primary school, pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, with graduates (in wheelchairs) studying in 8th grade. In 2006 a big new building was built. We even had an elevator donated! Everything is accomplished with financial donations.

Both the ministry (I am the legal representative)and I remain debt free. I have several months of money for living expenses in the bank. I just found Money Matters on the Internet! I listen daily and am ordering Business By The Book.

I am a nurse, not a teacher or school administrator. I am doing this job by obedience not ability, but God brings me the resources, and I am able to handle the employees, bank accounts, construction, etc., all in Spanish. Just when I needed it, He put Money Matters back in my life.

Judy, CA

1/7/2008

My husband and I got the chance to take the Crown Financial Class at our church. It was amazing!!! The first sentence I ever read was there were 2,350 verses in the Bible about finances and money. I never even knew there were any.

My husband and I have only been married for 2 years. Our finances were not in order. I was not looking forward to taking the class because of being afraid that my husband and I were going to let everyone into our big financial mess! Well, God led us to take the class. It was the most awesome thing my husband and I have ever done. We did not have everyone looking through our finances. The class gave us Biblical principles to follow and practical applications to budget ourselves.

It was hard at first to try to budget and find ourselves spending more and more. We learned that it is going to take some time, and I am so happy to say that it has been 3 months, and I am seeing a surplus in our money and not a deficit. I would like to thank Crown and let you know how much that you mean to my husband and me. We love you all!!!!

Emily, NC

1/8/2008

My husband and I were just about drowning in debt. He was out of work for a year, and we lived on credit cards. We didn't live on a budget and were in dire need of help. I listened to Money Matters often, but didn't know where to start. We contacted a local Crown Money Map Coach to help us. Thanks to him and your ministry, we are working on the Money Map, our debt is gone (minus the mortgage), and we are living strictly by the budget we set up. We have a new outlook on life, and that weight we had on our shoulders has been lifted.

I cannot thank you enough for what you do and how you help people--and mostly for the hope that has renewed us.

God bless all of you,
Marty

1/8/2008

I listen to your show on the drive home from work everyday. I have learned so much. A friend gave me the Money Map, and my husband and I are starting to following it this year. I am tired of living from paycheck to paycheck. In Febuary, we will have all credit card debt paid off and one month's living expenses saved. I thank you so much for your show, and I pray that God will continue to speak through your show to help others like me.

Angela, NC

1/9/2008

I am so thankful for Crown Financial Ministries! My husband began using the Mvelopes program and spending calculator last spring. For the six years of our marriage before that, I handled the money and truthfully did not do it well. I did the best I could, but it was not something I liked doing and really always felt like I was behind. Any argument my husband and I had would be about money.

Well, since he took over our finances, my life is so much better! What a burden he lifted off of me, and he is doing an awesome job with the help of Crown. We will be credit card debt free in two months and are starting to look into purchasing a home. God has so richly blessed us - we have been able to increase our tithe at church, donate to Moody Radio and Crown, and we did a lot of outreach at Christmas. God is faithful and so is my wonderful husband. I am so grateful that God uses Crown to help people like us - He has changed our life through Crown. THANK YOU!

Alysia, IL

1/11/2008

Growning up in a non-Christian home was like any other when it came to finances. My parents did well but now that they are older, they really don't have much to show for their hard work. But when I became a Christian, I started listening to the radio station that would have Crown Financial Ministries broadcast on, and it changed my entire mindset of money, budgeting, and debt. I thank God for your ministry because if not, I would have lived by my parents example, and now I can be an example to them.

Emily, FL

1/11/2008

Larry Burkett became my financial mentor through his books and radio programs more than 20 years ago. My wife and I have lived debt free for many years because of the Biblical principles we learn through your ministry.

As a pastor, I have also led our church to operate debt free. We paid off $240,000 in about three years.

Terry, GA

1/11/2008

In early 1989, my husband was laid off from work. We had one child in college, two in high school (the older a senior going to college in the fall), as well as supporting one in his home with his mother. We went into some debt with a few credit cards. My husband found anything he could do to make some money (security and delivering newspapers). He prayed to God that if He'd send him the clients, he'd push the pencil. Well, he had more tax clients than he'd ever had, plus some bookkeeping clients that were referred just "out of the blue."

We had been listening to Larry on KILA for some time by then (we were on a first name basis) and had "gotten it," even before the Money Map was established. When Bob got his job with the county later in the year, and I followed him into government work a few years later, we were socking it to the credit cards, driving old cars 'til they dropped in their tracks (or the radiator cap needed to be replaced along with the car underneath it), and refinanced the house to a lesser interest on a 15-year deal.

We have been debt free for a bunch of years (6 at least now since the mortgage was paid) and have been living what our retirement would be and saving the rest. I had a 401k previously, and we both did deferred comp, along with other savings things that my husband found for us.

To make a long story short, today is my husband's last day of formal working. Mine will be on April Fool's day (go figure, that). I looked at my husband today at lunch while listening to your Money Matters program (it's what we do at lunchtime) and thanked him for his diligence in getting us to this chapter in our life together. He looked at the radio in the car and said, .it's thanks to them (meaning you and your ministry).

And it is, and, of course, to the Provider who has provided us peace in our hearts even during the most worrisome of times. Thanks be to God!

Every, every blessing to you all.
Jane, NV

1/11/2008

My husband and I started listening to Money Matters about one month before we got married. We decided we would follow the Money Map and developed a spending plan immediately. We also decided to take a smaller, less expensive honeymoon to avoid going in debt.

On December 2, 2006 we were married and were $15,000 in debt from a school and car loan. Our goal was to follow the Money Map and pay off our debt by our first anniversary. We used our wedding money (we were given everything we needed, including furniture, cleaning supplies, electronics, etc.) to pay off the car loan and to start our first savings account.

One year later, on December 2, 2007 we had the joy of sending our final loan payment!! We had begun living on one salary and using the other for giving, saving, and debt paying. Little did we know, three days later we became pregnant! We are so thankful and blessed to be starting this new era of our life debt free! Also, since we were already used to living on one income, I'll be able to stay home and take care of our baby.

Thank you for what you do. It has blessed us and those around us tremendously! There are very few people in their early 20's who even think about debt, but because we've followed the Money Map, we don't have any!

Brian and Shawna, OH

1/12/2008

I just had a chance to check out your Web site, and I'm so glad I did. I used the debt calculator and found out that if I paid off all my debts as I am paying now, I would pay more than the price of my house in interest and almost the same amount as I paid for my car in interest. I couldn't believe it. Now I have a strong desire to get out of debt faster and be a better steward of God's money.

Micah, NC

1/15/2008

I used money for nurturing and did not spend wisely for many years, and it was instrumental in causing my divorce.

Since listening to your program and meeting a man who knew how to manage money and had a generous spirit, my finances have improved immeasurably. My husband now has Alzheimers and is confined to a nursing center, so it is up to me to make all the money decisions. Thank you so much for your insights!

Sheryl, KS

1/17/2008

Wow, you are the best in teaching about money. My husband and I are following your Money Map, and we are out of debt and are working on paying down our mortgage. I can not believe how easy it was following your Steps To Financial Freedom. It is such a freeing feeling to know that soon we will be able to share more with those in need and wherever God leads us.

My husband is not a Christian but is happy to be out of credit card debt as well as our line of credit being paid off. It truly is a blessing to know we are following God's will for our lives, and I pray that my husband feels the spirit move him in ways he can't even imagine. Thank you for all you do and for the education that is so needed in today's world of "I want it now and I deserve it now" mentality. May God bless you and all your ministries.

Sincerely,
Lynn, IL

1/20/2008

We are a family of 2 adults and 5 kids living on about $2500 per month in Southern California. Although I knew how God wanted me to manage money, I had never been able to keep track of things very well. It seemed like we were constantly struggling (and fighting!) about money.

Then, through the Crown Web site, I found Mvelopes! We have been using it for just over a year, and it has made a huge difference. For the first time I am not waiting for my tax refund so I can pay off bills, and I always know exactly where we stand financially. My husband got unexpectedly laid off last March, but we were still able to avoid going into debt by using the envelope system and making a commitment to tithing and not spending more than we had.

We paid off several thousand dollars in debt and now only have our car loan and mortgage, both at very reasonable interest rates. This year, we have taken the next step and started regular savings with a short-term goal of having 3 months' worth of income set aside and a long-term goal of having 6 months' worth.

We also have an envelope for extra giving. This has been truly a blessing and enabled us to meet others' needs as they arise. There's nothing more satisfying than knowing I have something set aside when God prompts me to give, and that I haven't blown it on something stupid because it was "extra" money. We still do fun things as a family but now we know we can afford it! My stress level is so much lower now and although there are some tight months, I know that it is not because we have made bad decisions.

I have come to look at things as needs and wants now. If it is a true need, like a medical expense, I can expect that God will provide somehow. If it's a want, it's time to get creative! :)

So thank you for steering me towards a tool that has helped me to succeed in managing what God has entrusted to me. It has been life-changing for me and my family.

Prajna, CA

1/28/2008

Thank you for organizing the Money Map simulcast on Jan 26th. My husband and I were fully blessed and gained remarkable knowledge from all the wise men and women who spoke. In the future we hope to bear fruit to the seed you planted in us by sharing with others.

God bless you all,
Lydia, WA

1/30/2008

I have received Crown materials for many years, and also read Ron Blue's book, "Master your Money" and completed the workbook. I also completed Career Direct.

We only owe $1000 on our mortgage now, and I plan to have it paid off in 2 months. It's a great feeling! I owe about $2,660 on a 0% interest for one year credit card. I paid off an over-draft credit line and another credit card with some of that money, and will use some of the money to pay on our mortgage. I plan to close my over-draft on my checking account because I keep tapping into it.

Right now I have a steady job with benefits which, Lord willing, I can keep. It is in healthcare, which is a good field to be in now, and it is a field I have a high interest in.

I really want to thank Crown Financial (Larry Burkett, Howard Dayton,..also Ron Blue and "Debt-Proof Living") for helping me to have the right financial goals and stay on track. I like the Money Map also.

It has been so helpful to write out our goals. I also apppreciate that Crown includes giving to the Lord in your financial planning.

I feel I haven't saved enough for retirement, but with our mortgage paid off, we can use the money we were paying on our mortgage for other things (saving, home improvements, etc.).

Thanks for all you do and God bless!!
Jo, AZ