Christian money guru gets rich mixing faith, funds

[Kadie]

Christian money guru gets rich mixing faith, funds

September 9, 2009 By The Associated Press JAY REEVES (Associated Press Writer)

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (AP) — With the economy gasping for life last spring, about 1.3 million people gathered in 5,600 churches nationwide to behold the nation's leading prophet of personal finance.

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"Hope is a gift of the Holy Spirit," Ramsey told a nationwide audience that included the Fox Business Network, available in 50 million homes. Later: "The Bible says the diligent prosper."

At its core, the 90-minute show was a millionaire preaching to a struggling flock, and it raised anew the question of whether Ramsey's hugely profitable, tax-paying business — which he describes as a ministry — fits with Jesus' teachings.

It's a question John Hoffman began asking as he immersed himself in Ramsey's financial lessons for months. He listened on the radio, bought books, took Ramsey's financial management course at a church and paid for a $10-a-month subscription to his Web site.

Hoffman came away from it all feeling like Ramsey's intermingling of faith and finances was some sort of unholy alliance.

"It's not a ministry. To me, it's an insult to the word," said Hoffman, who lives near Logan, Kan. "It would be nice if it got out of the churches and got into the mainstream."

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http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/christian-money-guru...