Clint Williamson walked into the church doors at Eastside and returned a greeting to each of the volunteers who welcomed him. Behind Clint’s’ smile, no one knew of the heavy weight Clint was bearing and the challenges he was facing outside of the church walls. Clint had just lost his job and his bills continued to accumulate. He felt that he should be in control of his money instead, his money was controlling him. It was all he could think about and kept wondering, “How am I going to get out of this hole I’m so deeply buried in?”
Worry-filled days and sleepless nights passed. Clint’s unemployment and increasing debt weighed heavily on his mind, body and soul. He was losing hope. During a service at Eastside, Clint learned about Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, a nine-week lesson plan that taught God’s ways of handling money through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities. Clint knew that this was God’s way of answering his prayers.
During the FPU program, Clint developed a strong relationship with his small group who supported each other. He learned how to get rid of debt, manage his money, and spend and save wisely. For the first time, in a long time, Clint had a positive outlook in his financial future. He graduated from FPU and felt equipped with tools he needed to tackle his debt.
Clint pursued his faith and attended First Steps with Gene to learn more about the vision at Eastside. He was getting a sense that God was working in his life and eventually found a job that made a six-figure salary. With the knowledge he received from Dave Ramsey, Clint began tithing immediately. Within a year, he was able to get rid of his debt and has built a savings of over $20,000. He went from having no control over his money and being in debt, to setting a budget each month, tithe and save money by practicing the principles that was taught. Clint achieved financial peace and saw firsthand how God was fulfilling His promises.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be enough room to store it.” Malachi 3:10