"Our money and possessions don't belong to us; they belong to God."
Larry Burkett, Christian Money Management Pioneer

The name Larry Burkett has become almost synonymous with Christian financial counseling. As co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries, his books and broadcasts have helped thousands of people who, for one reason or another, found themselves in financial difficulties.

Burkett wrote more than 70 books and hosted the radio program Money Matters on more than 1,000 stations across the U.S. Burkett often said that wise management of resources begins with recognizing that they actually belong to God, so that the issue is stewardship rather than ownership. In an interview in October 2001, he outlined his basic financial philosophy.

"You've got to accept the fact that you don't own anything -- you're a steward, you're a manager. And if you believe that God's the owner, and I do, then you want to manage it according to His plan," he said.

That plan, Burkett said, is laid out very clearly in the Bible. "It's not particularly restrictive, but it does lay down some rules -- rules for borrowing and lending and saving, and how you deal with people and how honest you are. And you have to live by that."

Burkett founded Christian Financial Concepts in 1976. In 2000, that ministry merged with the like-minded Crown Ministries, founded by Howard Dayton, to form Crown Financial Ministries. Dayton, in a written statement on the Crown website, remembers that Burkett did not hesitate to release his leadership role when the two ministries merged.

"I will never forget the first time we met to seriously discuss the merger of CFC and the old Crown Ministries," Dayton says. "Larry stood and extended his tightly closed fists. Then he said, 'My greatest fear in life is standing before the Lord and hearing Him say, "I had so much more for you, but you held on too tightly." That's why I want us to merge. Together we can accomplish so much more for the building of God’s kingdom than we could separately.'

"Many times [Burkett] said that the decision to merge was the best decision he ever made," Dayton says.

In writing about death, Burkett said there is no reason to fear. "God wants us to live life to the fullest, but fear will cripple us," he said. "If there are circumstances that cause you to live in fear, you can't possibly enjoy your life on this earth, no matter how healthy you are or how short or long your life may be.

"So, if you know that your final destination is Heaven, then learn to live your life here to the fullest."

Burkett was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1995, six years after suffering a heart attack. Crown Financial Ministries reports that his battle against cancer took him to countries like the Czech Republic and Holland for treatment.

Burkett, 64, is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy, their four children -- Allen, Danny, Kim, and Todd -- and nine grandchildren. Memorial services are scheduled for Friday, July 11, in Atlanta at The Church of the Apostles.

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