In Theory:

Religious institutions across America have been severely affected by a national decline in contributions, but are nevertheless assisting families in need every single day. Helping people to get back on stable footing for the long run is equally important to meeting their immediate needs for food, housing and financial support. Ramsey’s courses bring to mind the well-known adage: “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”

During the past decade of prosperity, many Americans became accustomed to spending money freely and living beyond their means. The deep recession has forced us to reverse this trend and to curtail spending. I am optimistic that the worst of this crisis is now behind us, and believe that we will all see prosperity soon enough.

However, I truly hope that the lessons learned during these difficult times will nevertheless stay with us so that we will be more fiscally responsible — both by saving more and by allocating a fair portion to charitable causes.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad of Glendale and the Foothills

There are various schemes for improving one’s financial status, and David Ramsey’s approach is one of them. His classes are popular, and have followers who credit his advice with leading them to financial success.

I’ve not explored his method, and the Associated Press story gives only a hint of its scriptural basis. In general, I can appreciate a businessman basing his operations essentially on what he learns in the scriptures.

In that respect, Ramsey is a very successful businessman. Whether one agrees that his classes should be given within churches will depend on one’s viewpoints about church.

Certainly Christ Jesus was not himself in the finance business, but promoted dependence on God’s spiritually provided resources, such as when he instructed Peter to find tax money in the mouth of a fish (Matthew 17:27).

He also said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

In Christian Science we see this as indicating our natural, spiritual alignment with God, and this understanding brings with it increased blessings that can include answers to our pecuniary needs. Both the Psalms and Christ Jesus promise abundance through adherence to God.