Inspiring stories of Financial Freedom

6/2/2009

Nine years ago, I went through a bitter divorce. I was mad at men, mad at the people I worked with, mad at God, and just plain mad at the world. Married to a man that had thoughts only for himself, I was in debt up to my ears. I found out that he hadn't filed our income taxes for 10 years.

Then a friend introduced me to her uncle Eric, who brought me to God and made me realize that my anger was directed in the wrong direction. A year later we were married, but between us we had almost $30,000 in debt and nothing to show for it.

A friend of Eric's invited us over to do the Crown Financial Bible study, and today we are debt free of all credit cards. The only debt we owe is for our "new" (used) cars and our house, plus low interest, "emergency" credit cards only! Thanks to you, we have been able to tithe without guilt and teach my 17-year-old daughter the benefits of it also.

Again, thank you
Jennifer and Eric, OH

6/9/2009

As a recent college graduate and newly engaged, I thought I had my finances and life in control. However, after starting the Crown Bible study with a few couples at my church, I realized I could change a few things about how I was planning my wedding as well as how I was looking to live my life after marriage.

I took the course with my fiance and not only got marriage counseling from the couples in my group but also financial advice from my group and majorly from God's Word. I would recommend this to anyone, especially before you get married because it will save you so much money and frustration in the long-run as well as arguments about finances. I don't want to end up like my group members, with thousands of dollars in debt if I can prevent it. They gave me advice because they didn't want my fiance and I to end up in the same place they were.

I learned a lot and was not only able to implement strategies for my future with my fiance, but also now before I even get married. I changed my wedding plans to spend only around $2,000 on my wedding total. I give all the glory of any changes that I have made to God.

Katie, PA

6/20/2009

In these tough financial times, we are blessed. I've been listening to your program for years and following Biblical principles as a result.

Our home is paid off, and both our sons have graduated from college. We have no credit card debt, and we finally have a little extra. We're doing some much needed updating on our house and are planning for retirement. We continue to help others as Our Father leads.

We've had tough times, but by depending on God, we've always paid our bills. Now, from watching us, our sons are following the same financial paths we followed.

I've been particularly enjoying the calming messages of Chuck Bentley in these turbulent times. I heard your request for help during the summer months. A check is in the mail. I want to help insure this ministry continues.

Kaye, GA

6/23/2009

I was aware of Crown for a number of years but first turned to them for personal advice when my husband left in 2001. The kind person who spoke to and prayed with me on the phone urged me to plan my new "single" budget by giving to God first. I couldn't imagine how I could do it, but after prayer, I decided to do just that and began tithing.

I have never regretted that decision and have managed my finances following Crown's principles ever since. God's provision for my needs following my recent unexpected job loss has been nothing short of miraculous. When I lost my job, I immediately sought ways to save money so that my accrued vacation pay, severance pay, and unemployment compensation would last as long as possible. God provided a part-time job teaching at a local college, and I have actually been able to save enough money to pay for my son's next year in college!

After 4 months of job searching, God provided a new position for me only 10 miles from home for a local hospice, when I had been commuting a much greater distance in the past. He is ALWAYS faithful!

I should mention that I have an MBA in Financial Management and have been an accountant for over 30 years! None of my training ever included personal financial issues, much less Biblical principles. Since committing all my resources to God, I have twice taught our church's senior high Sunday School class using Crown's Managing Money God's Way for Teens and hope to train to be a Money Map Coach.

Realizing that my task is to be a good steward of those resources entrusted to me by God is now a way of life, both personally as well as professionally in my work as a chief financial officer in the not-for-profit healthcare field.

Thank you for filling a needed void in a world that looks to wealth and material things to fill that God-shaped hole in all our hearts -- God bless you all!

Shana, PA