Financial Wisdom for a Lifetime: Teaching Stewardship at EC

What if your child graduated not just with academic knowledge, but with the wisdom to steward their finances — and their future — with clarity, confidence, and Christ-centered purpose?

At Eastern Christian School, we believe financial literacy is more than balancing a checkbook or understanding interest rates. It’s a discipleship topic that encompasses stewardship, generosity, and preparing young men and women to live wisely and generously in God’s world.

That’s why every high school student at EC takes Personal Financial Literacy, a required course that teaches not just practical money management, but a Reformed, biblical perspective on wealth, responsibility, and worship. EC also offers entrepreneurship classes and hosts college financial planning events as well.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

From credit card debt to student loans to the endless lure of consumerism, today’s teens face complex financial challenges. Many high school graduates head into adulthood with little understanding of how to budget, plan for the future, or give with intentionality.

We aim to change that.

In EC’s Personal Financial Literacy course, students learn:

• How to build and manage a personal budget
• The basics of saving, investing, and insurance
• How to evaluate financial choices through a biblical lens
• The difference between ownership and stewardship
• Their financial role in the local church, global community, and God’s kingdom

A Reformed Perspective: Money as Worship

At the heart of our curriculum is a simple truth: Everything we have belongs to God.

Scripture teaches that wealth is not an end in itself, but a tool to serve others and glorify Christ. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give…for God loves a cheerful giver.”

We help students shift from an “ownership” mindset to one of stewardship. They are challenged to ask: How can I use the resources God has entrusted to me for good? Whether pursuing a career in business, ministry, healthcare, or the arts, our students graduate with the skills and spiritual grounding to handle money with integrity.

What Parents Love About This Course

Financial Literacy teacher Dawn Heerema puts it this way:

“In Personal Financial Literacy, students learn that money is a gift from God and that we are called to steward it wisely. By recognizing that biblical teachings on wealth are directed to us at Eastern Christian, students are challenged to align both their hearts and finances with lives of gratitude and service. Through intentional goal setting, healthy financial habits, and practical tools, students are equipped to manage resources faithfully and add lasting value to the world.”

This course isn’t about fear or formulas. It’s about serving the Lord through our finances.

Preparing Students for Life, Not Just College

At EC, we’re committed to preparing students to live out a Christ-centered worldview in all stages of life. That includes:

• Financial responsibility
• Critical thinking
• Gospel-shaped decision making

Our graduates enter adulthood ready to avoid common financial pitfalls and eager to be generous pillars in their communities and churches.

Want to see how EC prepares students to thrive — not just academically, but practically and spiritually?

Schedule a tour or connect with our Admissions team to learn more about our high school programs.