GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)–Christian financial expert Larry Burkett is being remembered by friends and fans alike for his Christlike spirit and his firm stance on biblical principles following his death July 4.
The 64-year-old Burkett, a member of Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Flowery Branch, Ga., died of heart failure following a battle with cancer and other medical problems. A noted author and radio personality, he had been a monthly columnist for Baptist Press for two years.
In 1976 Burkett founded Christian Financial Concepts, which merged with Crown Ministries in 2000 to become Crown Financial Ministries. The organization promotes biblical principles of stewardship and finances. He served as chairman of the board of directors for Crown Financial Ministries.
Jack Wilkerson, vice president for business and finance for the Southern Baptist Convention, said that Burkett’s ministry made an impact on his life in the 1970s when he was struggling with debt. Wilkerson said Burkett has been a “constant encouragement” to him to “get completely out of debt” and to practice “biblical principles of stewardship.” Wilkerson serves as a Crown Financial Ministries counselor within his church.
“Larry Burkett was used of God to impact thousands of lives for the glory of the Savior,” Wilkerson said. “His burden and heart to help individuals and families in financial crisis through teaching and application of biblical principles has provided hope to the financially stressed, healing to distressed relationships and honor to the Savior.”
Many people have come to know Christ through Burkett’s ministry, Wilkerson added.
“I will miss him as a faithful encourager and brother,” Wilkerson said. “He has left a legacy that will continue to impact the world for Christ for years to come.”
James Austin, former pastor of Blackshear Place Baptist Church, said Burkett was a “sincere Christian gentleman” and an asset to the church.
“He had a deep prayer life, and it was obvious that he spent time with the Lord,” said Austin, who left Blackshear Place in 2001 to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va.
Burkett also had a tremendous knowledge of Scripture, Austin said.
“The authority of God’s Word was one of the non-negotiables with him, an absolute,” Austin said. “He based all of his concepts on God’s Word, particularly from the Book of Proverbs. He could just rattle off Scripture related to any subject you could imagine.”
Burkett was as active in the church as his schedule allowed, and often made himself available to speak during stewardship campaigns and other functions.
“He spoke on behalf of a Christian school that used our facilities, and a number of employees of Christian Financial Concepts [now Crown Financial Ministries] were members of Blackshear Place as well.”
Austin noted that Burkett also was an asset to the congregation simply by being a member. Newcomers would call the ministry asking where Burkett went to church, and the congregation drew many new members because of his endorsement.
Burkett was the host of the radio programs “Money Matters,” “How to Manage Your Money,” “MoneyWatch” and “A Money Minute.” He also authored more than 70 books and authored two resources published by LifeWay Christian Resources: “How Much is Enough? 30 Days to Personal Revival” and “Jesus on Money.”
Gary Aylor, stewardship director for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, said Burkett was authentic.
“He was a real person,” Aylor said. “I really believe God is pleased with what he’s done, and what will continue to be done through the ministry of Larry Burkett, even now that he’s gone home to be with the Lord.”
Burkett’s influence was far-reaching. He was one of the founders of the Alliance Defense Fund, a pro-family legal organization based in Arizona. In a release Alliance Defense Fund President Alan Sears said that Burkett’s “vision and passion for restoring America led to the creation of ADF” in 1994. “Without Larry there would not have been an Alliance Defense Fund.
“Larry was the model of the suffering servant, never complaining, always seeking to glorify God above all else,” Sears said. “No words can convey my grief at his passing, my joy for his present home or my thankfulness and debt that my family owes, along with millions of others, for Larry’s rediscovery and teaching of God’s principles for financial order and integrity.”
Burkett often said that money and possessions “don’t belong to us; they belong to God.”
“God has given us the authority to be stewards of our money and possessions, and the responsibility to faithfully manage them according to the principles in the Bible,” he once said.
Burkett is survived by his wife, Judy, and four grown children: Allen, Danny, Kim and Todd. A memorial service will be held July 11 at Church of the Apostles in Atlanta. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be given to Crown Financial Ministries. More information on memorial gifts is available at www.larryburkett.org.
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Compiled by Michael Foust, with reporting by James Dotson, Sara Horn & Art Toalston.
(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at www.bpnews.net. Photo title: BURKETT BUOYED SBC.
