It Emphasizes Great Commission Stewardship
For years, Dave Ramsey has been the staple for Christians wanting to know more about how to manage their finances. Many readers will be familiar with his “7 Baby Steps” program, Financial Peace University, and his best-selling book, The Total Money Makeover. This post does not intend to take away from how Ramsey has helped many Christians take control of their money and experience financial freedom. Personally, my wife and I have truly benefited from his financial wisdom and advice.
Yet, there has always been something missing from Ramsey’s teaching even though it is really good information. A student of the Bible can’t help but wonder how handling money can have an impact on advancing God’s kingdom for his glory. To put it another way, the Great Commission speaks into a Christian’s finances (cf. Matt. 28:18-20).
Jesus’ Command for All Disciples
Before Jesus ascended into heaven–after he lived a sinless life, died a sinner’s death for all people, and resurrected from the grave to prove that he had defeated sin, the enemy, and death once and for all–he told his disciples, including his future ones, that,
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20
A student of the Bible might wonder what the Great Commission has to do with one’s finances. Dr. Art Rainer’s 8 Money Milestones program provides an answer to that inquiry because he takes his financial expertise and funnels it through the lens of Jesus’ command. This program is unparalleled with other similar ones and here is why.
8 Money Milestones’ Unique Approach
The Great Commission coupled with Dr. Rainer’s teaching on money sets this curriculum above any other one on the market. The 8 Money Milestones program teaches how God’s provision, and our stewardship of his resources are supposed to be used to fund Jesus’ church and fulfill the Great Commission. Of course, a pupil will learn more about the 8 steps to leveraging their finances for God’s glory, but the overall vision for this program flips the paradigm of building personal wealth for worldly comforts to stewarding the Lord’s money for advancing the cause of Christ.
The Great Commission emphasis is one of the biggest reasons why any reader needs to purchase and take the 8 Money Milestones program. For example, Rainer talks about budgeting but does so with a missional focus. His financial expertise coupled with his biblical knowledge helps those who take this course think about saving, giving, and leaving a legacy with the Great Commission as the guiding command for handling one’s finances.
Recommendation
As someone who has taken this course, I highly recommend it to any Christian that wants to think about stewarding God’s money to advance the gospel. As a pastor, this course could be a valuable resource for a small group or Sunday school setting. The videos, workbooks, leader guide, and course structure makes this course adaptable to any ministry setting. In addition, Dr. Rainer continually produces material that remains beneficial for individuals and groups on his website (to see more click here). This is why I highly recommend you look into, consider purchasing, and learning from the 8 Money Milestones program.
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