A Strategic Partnership: Empowering Christian Education Through Biblical Financial Stewardship Training

The partnership between the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Ron Blue Institute marks a significant step in enhancing financial education within Christian schools. Rooted in a shared vision and a commitment to biblical principles, this partnership aims to provide students with a Biblical Personal Finance Curriculum that gives them a comprehensive understanding of money management through a distinctly Christian worldview.

A Foundation of Shared Values 

According to Dr. Phil Gelatt, Vice President of Educational Programs at the Ron Blue Institute, the decision to partner with ACSI was influenced by two primary factors. 

“First, for 30 years I was involved in Christian school ministry in a variety of schools and a variety of roles,” Gelatt said. “Throughout those years, ACSI was a constant place of encouragement, support, and resources from which I was strengthened and equipped to minister. We felt that ACSI was the one organization that would fully appreciate, understand, and agree with the biblical worldview perspective that we teach related to money.”

Gelatt and ACSI President Dr. Larry Taylor initially got to know each other when Taylor was the Head of School at Prestonwood Christian Academy, and they became better acquainted when Taylor became the President of ACSI. “We sensed his passion to help Christian schools see money as an important component of a believer's discipleship and commitment to Jesus Christ.” 

Taylor shared his heart and vision behind this collaboration. 

“Through our partnership, we are striving to better resource schools in this key and often overlooked area, helping students to understand how to serve God well in and through their resources,” he said. “As a father and former head of school, I have seen the difference a biblical approach to finances can make in students' lives.”

Distinctive Features of the Ron Blue Biblical Personal Finance Curriculum 

The Ron Blue Biblical Personal Finance Curriculum stands out in its approach to financial education, particularly within the context of Christian schools. “Unlike traditional financial literacy programs that focus primarily on practical behaviors such as budgeting and insurance, the Ron Blue curriculum emphasizes a biblical worldview of money and possessions,” Gelatt said. 

This approach is transformational, shaping students' thinking and behavior by grounding financial principles in the eternal truths of God's Word.

The curriculum addresses a gap observed in Christian schools' financial education. While some schools may neglect financial education altogether, others offer basic financial literacy without incorporating a biblical perspective. 

“While the financial literacy behaviors are important, teaching a biblical worldview of money and possessions, which stresses the transcendent principles of God's Word, is transformational in terms of one's thinking and behavior,” Gelatt said. “We believe that the message that God gave to Ron Blue decades ago is still relevant today.”

Equipping Students for Economic Challenges 

In the face of economic uncertainties, the Ron Blue financial courses provide students with invaluable tools to navigate challenging financial landscapes. A key attribute of Ron Blue's teaching is its principled approach to financial decision-making. Rather than relying on prescriptive, transactional instructions, the curriculum focuses on transformational principles derived from God's Word.

These principles—spending less than one earns, giving generously, avoiding debt, maintaining liquidity, and planning for the long term—are timeless and applicable regardless of economic conditions. By internalizing these principles, students are better equipped to make wise financial decisions that align with biblical values. Additionally, the curriculum emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers in their financial choices, fostering a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

By addressing both practical financial behaviors and the transcendent principles of God's Word, the Ron Blue financial curriculum offers a transformative approach to financial education. As students navigate economic challenges, they will be guided by timeless truths that promote wise decision-making and a heart aligned with God's purposes.