Thank you so much for your prompt response; much appreciated. I will be checking out the website. Praise God for the work you guys are doing for The Body of Christ. Back to Testimonials Praise God for the work Thank you so much for your prompt response; much appreciated. I will be checking out the website. Praise God for the work you guys are doing for The Body of Christ. Anonymous Previous Next

In my experience, the following are the common elements of a “get-rich-quick investment.” 1. There is a promise of an abnormally high rate of return. If the expected rate of return is unusually high, then the risk associated with that investment is also unusually high. Avoid "Get-Rich-Quick Investments" and Hasty Decisions Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 In my experience, the following are the common elements of a “get-rich-quick investment.” 1. There is a promise of an abnormally high rate of return. If the expected rate of return is unusually high, then the risk associated with that investment is also unusually high. Hence there is a risk of very significant losses. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. 2. Generally, the investor has a limited understanding of the investment. It is easier for a salesperson to sell you a high-risk investment when it is outside of your expertise. 3. It usually requires a quick decision that will prevent the potential investor from obtaining independent counsel from someone who has a thorough understanding of the investment. 4. Frequently, debt is utilized because debt increases the returns if the investment is successful; but debt also increases the losses if the investment goes sour. 5. Generally, a get-rich-quick investment is not diversified in accordance with Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2 but is focused on one investment or one sector, which increases the return if the promoters are right in their predictions, but it also increases the losses if they are wrong. God clearly warns of the dangers of trying to get rich quick: Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:4–5) The emphasis in Scripture is to save and accumulate a little at a time over a long period of time and not to try to get rich quick. Proverbs 13:11 states, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (emphasis added). As explained in my Financial Moment titled “Investing—Assess Your Tolerance for Risk and Invest Accordingly,” it is biblical to assume some risk within your investment portfolio. However, when investors try to make a lot of money very quickly (i.e., to get rich quick), then generally they assume an excessive amount of risk and debt, and they frequently lose everything. This is not God’s will. Therefore, if someone recommends an investment that promises an abnormally high rate of return, or requires a significant portion of your portfolio, then I recommend the following: 1. Pray and ask God to direct you through his Holy Spirit. A lack of peace can be God’s way of communicating to you or your spouse that it is not God’s will for you to invest. 2. Ask God to reveal to you your motives. Motives are important to God (Proverbs 16:2). Ungodly motives include greed, covetousness, impatience, and pride; the corresponding godly motives would be generosity, contentment, patience, and humility. 3. Take the time that is required to obtain sufficient knowledge and understanding of the investment before you invest (Proverbs 28:19, 20). 4. Use godly counsellors who have the necessary experience and knowledge and will not personally profit if you decide to invest (Psalm 1:1–3). In summary, if you do not have sufficient time to complete the four suggestions above, then do not invest. Some of the best investment decisions ever made are the decisions not to invest. Hasty decisions are usually bad decisions (Proverbs 21:5). And remember, the emphasis in God’s Word is to save and accumulate assets for future needs over a long period of time—not to get rich quickly. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

Discover TV Shows 28-Minute Shows that teach financial wisdom. Explore TV Shows 28-Minute Shows for insights on handling money God's way. TV Shows Tom's 28-minute videos Handling Money God's Way A featured series for individuals and families Session: 1 Stewardship Stewardship is acknowledging in your heart and mind that God owns everything Session: 2 God's Wisdom on Debt and Saving God warns of the dangers of debt and God admonishes us to save for future needs Session: 3 Steps to Get Out of Debt Obtain a practical understanding of how to reduce your debt, with the long-term objective of becoming totally debt-free Session: 4 Budgeting Includes biblical principles of investing Session: 5 Financial Deceptions Beliefs that appear to be correct but are contrary to God’s principles and often tempt people to get into debt. Session: 6 Godly Attitude Toward Money Question: Can money in and of itself, be corrupt or evil? $ Handling Money God' Way 28-Minute Shows God’s Financial Wisdom For Government Leaders and Voters Government leaders need to learn and apply biblical principles in managing government finances Managing Money During Difficult Times When people are in a state of fear or anxiety about their finances, they will often make hasty decisions. Management of Money Impacts Relationship with Spouse Most people buy things they don't need, accumulate debt, and eventually suffer the consequence. Advanced Biblically-Based Estate Planning God's Word, the Bible, has phenomenal wisdom on finances. God's Financial Wisdom for Young People Unfortunately, many Christians do not pray and wait for God's provision. In a sense, they don't even give God a chance to provide. Discerning God's Will in Managing Money An overview of the Bible's financial guidelines so you can really discern what God wants you to do. God's Financial Wisdom for Business This series is appropriate for business owners and managers. Applicable to anyone who makes important financial decisions for a business. Dealing with Inflation and High Interest Rates from a Biblical Perspectives The objective here is to determine whether you have a surplus or deficit in your monthly cash flow. God's Financial Wisdom for churches and Church Leaders You've been faithful with a few things. I'll. I'll trust you, with you, with many things. Management of Money Impacts Eternity Does how you manage money here on earth impact eternity in any significant way? Questions to Consider Before Borrowing It is not a sin to borrow money, but it is a sin to borrow without repaying. This series takes you through important things to consider before deciding to borrow money. Investing God's Way The Bible provides 12 principles related to investing. This 3-session series teaches you how to fulfill your stewardship responsibilities by way of investing the money God has entrusted to you. The Dangers of Co-signing The biblical perspective is to have minimal debt or no debt. And the Bible warns of the dangers of cosign doesn't say you can't co-sign, but it warns of the dangers. The worldly perspective is to use debt freely, which results result in lots of debt and the world's perspective. Obtaining Godly Counsel Too often we believe that we have to figure things out on our own, but this is not God’s will. God wants us to seek his counsel on any important decision. Secular Perspective vs Biblical Perspective Session 1 Overview A person with a biblical perspective will be called a biblical steward Featured Series 28-Minute Videos

I Attended the Zoom Webinar - Managing Money During Covid-19. It was excellent! I would be interested in attending more virtual workshops when they are available. Thank you for this ministry! Back to Testimonials Thank you for your ministry I Attended the Zoom Webinar - Managing Money During Covid-19. It was excellent! I would be interested in attending more virtual workshops when they are available. Thank you for this ministry! L.S. ON, Canada Previous Next

God had me take your Zoom class right on time. This was a big debt and because of what I learned in your classes concerning the Word of God I decided not to take any offers to pay less of my debt but instead I desired to pay it all. I could not have actually done so without God helping me each step each day each week each month. Back to Testimonials GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!!!!! Hello Tom . It is with a heart of praise and thanksgiving to God that I write you this night. I paid off a roughly $5000+ creditor account today!!!!!! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!!!!! Truly the Lord has helped me so so so so so so much and has been merciful towards me. I began paying $500 biweekly since October 2021. God had me take your Zoom class right on time. This was a big debt and because of what I learned in your classes concerning the Word of God I decided not to take any offers to pay less of my debt but instead I desired to pay it all. I could not have actually done so without God helping me each step each day each week each month. I currently have several other loans that I am now going to begin paying off. PRAISE GOD, Tom! Your ministry has been a great blessing to me and your email responses helped me avoid taking another loan of about 40% interest just to pay off the other debt. …I need to thank you and those who labour with you in your ministry. NF Brampton ON, Canada Previous Next

One key to obtaining God’s peace in respect of finances is to understand and fulfill your responsibilities as a steward. Stewardship requires that we acknowledge that God owns everything and that we act accordingly. Back to Freedom from Financial Anxiety Our Responsibilities and God's Promises By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 One key to obtaining God’s peace in respect of finances is to understand and fulfill your responsibilities as a steward. Stewardship requires that we acknowledge that God owns everything and that we act accordingly. That is, we need to learn and implement God’s principles in managing the money that God has entrusted to us in accordance with his will and not our own will. (Please see my financial moment titled “Biblical Stewardship Is Temporary Management” for more information on stewardship.) Fulfilling stewardship responsibilities requires the following: 1. On a regular basis, spend quality time in prayer with God, asking God for his wisdom with respect to the money that he has entrusted to you. God has promised, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). 2. Study and meditate on God’s Word with regard to finances regularly. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Josh. 1:8). With more than 2,000 references to money, the Bible offers plenty of wisdom from God on finances. 3. Demonstrate your faith in God by trusting God to provide for your needs and direct you according to his will. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3: 5, 6) On the other hand, God’s responsibilities and promises include the following: 1. God has promised that he will meet our needs if we put him first: So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6: 31–33) Please note that God has promised to meet our needs, not necessarily our wants and desires. 2. God has promised to direct us—including our financial decisions—according to his will: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Ps. 32:8) In summary, as a steward, it is important to focus on God, his Word, and his will. If you fulfill your responsibilities, then, regardless of your financial circumstances, you can know for certain that God will fulfill his promises and you will have God’s peace in regard to your finances. Jesus said, “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Previous Article Next Article More Topics Co-Signing/Surety Read More Investing Read More Priorities Read More

Financial problems frequently cause significant stress and anxiety, but God can provide his peace, no matter how difficult your financial problems. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Back to Freedom from Financial Anxiety God Gives Peace in Regard to Finances By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 Financial problems frequently cause significant stress and anxiety, but God can provide his peace, no matter how difficult your financial problems. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). The first step to obtaining God’s peace in the midst of financial difficulties is prayer. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:4–7) God promises that if we ask him, with a thankful heart, then he will give us a peace that is beyond our understanding. By the way, I do not believe that this is something that we can figure out or earn. It is fundamentally a gift from God: “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance” (2 Thess. 3:16 NASB). When under financial pressure, it is extremely important that you focus your attention on God, not on the financial problem. Isaiah 26:3 states, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You” (NKJV). In other words, God promises us his peace if we focus on him and trust him to enable us to deal with our financial problems. As well as focusing on God for his peace when you are under financial pressure, it is also extremely important to focus on God and his Word to learn his principles with regard to finances. Sometimes, the reason for your financial problems is that you have violated one or more biblical principles, perhaps unknowingly. In this regard, I recommend the 10-week small-group study developed by Crown Financial Ministries. If it is not currently available through your church, you can contact Crown Financial Ministries of Canada at 519-637-0626. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Co-Signing/Surety Read More Investing Read More Priorities Read More

Do you feel burdened and worried about your finances? Do you feel overwhelmed by financial problems? Back to Freedom from Financial Anxiety Are You Overwhelmed by Financial Problems? By: Tom Copland January 4, 2021 Do you feel burdened and worried about your finances? Do you feel overwhelmed by financial problems? Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt, 11: 28–30). Jesus gently encourages us to come to him humbly, first asking for his help and then “yoking” with him—that is, depending on God to carry the heavy part of the load. God has promised that he will sustain us, no matter how difficult the circumstances. "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (Isa. 46:3, 4) In order to relieve some of the financial pressures, as a practical matter, I recommend you consider some of the following suggestions: 1. Track your expenditures for two or three months to determine where your money is going. Most people don’t know where their money is being spent. 2. Develop a budget—my firm has developed an Excel-based budgeting system that is available at no charge. Call us if you would like a copy (905-477-1300). 3. In the process of developing and following a budget, ensure that you are spending less than you are making in order to provide a monthly surplus. 4. Use that surplus to pay down debt with the highest interest cost first, which is generally credit cards. 5. Next, pay down your other debts, and save some money for emergencies. (See Proverbs 21:20.) Be sure to spend quality time with God daily, asking him for specific direction about your finances. God has promised that if we ask him for wisdom, he will give it to us (James 1:5) and if we ask him for his specific direction, then he will provide direction to us (Prov. 3:5, 6). Previous Article Next Article More Topics Co-Signing/Surety Read More Investing Read More Priorities Read More

Your ministry is a blessing to me & my family. I am very appreciative of your 'all wise' emails. DM, Chester Basin, Nova Scotia Canada. Back to Testimonials Your ministry is a blessing to me Your ministry is a blessing to me & my family. I am very appreciative of your 'all wise' emails. DM Chester Basin, Nova Scotia Canada. Previous Next

You handled yourself with sincerity, godliness, compassion, and excellence. Our listeners obviously felt very comfortable talking to you. We couldn’t take all of the calls. That’s a nice “problem” to have! Tom, I know God is using you in a big way. There is no better way to live! Looking forward to having you back with us. Back to Testimonials There is no better way to live! You handled yourself with sincerity, godliness, compassion, and excellence. Our listeners obviously felt very comfortable talking to you. We couldn’t take all of the calls. That’s a nice “problem” to have! Tom, I know God is using you in a big way. There is no better way to live! Looking forward to having you back with us. K.G. (Professional Radio Host) Previous Next

In Genesis 41, God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream where God warned that there would be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine. Back to The Joseph Principle The Joseph Principle By: Henry Enriquez September 3, 2020 In Genesis 41, God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream where God warned that there would be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine. God instructed Joseph to help the people prepare by saving 20% of their grains etc. during the 7 years of plenty, so they would have sufficient food during the 7 years of famine. Some people call this “The Joseph Principle” which is a biblical principle that should be followed by everyone including individuals, corporations and governments. In James 4:13-16, we are warned not to presume on the future, which most people have done by spending all of their income and not saving for future needs. In reality, most people will experience a “famine” of some kind, such as a job loss, illness, etc. the results in the loss of income. In summary, save money on a regular basis so that you have a cushion of cash [Proverbs 21:20] to fall back on for when you encounter difficult times. More Topics Debt Principles Read More Financial Deceptions Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More

I began seriously studying God's Word on finances around 2008 when going through a Sunday School seminar on Debt Reduction God's Way led by Tom Copland (shortly after he had joined our church in Ajax). Back to Testimonials I have come to realize that Biblical stewardship is not an area that can be faked. I began seriously studying God's Word on finances around 2008 when going through a Sunday School seminar on Debt Reduction God's Way led by Tom Copland (shortly after he had joined our church in Ajax). This seminar not only opened my eyes to the dangers of debt, but prompted me to participate in several other similar seminars over the coming years, with the focus on Financial Management God's Way. I am thankful for this material that has helped me appreciate that the Lord is deeply interested in how I use the money and material things He has entrusted me with, and to that end, I have come to realize that Biblical stewardship is not an area that can be faked. I am also thankful for the many opportunities Tom has presented me with to lead others in this area, which the Lord has used to continue to show me that in order to maximize my spiritual impact as a Biblical steward, contrary to conventional 'worldly wisdom', the Lord's wisdom is that borrowing is generally discouraged and giving is generally encouraged. After many years of study and resolve to follow God's Word, I am thankful to have been able to persevere by avoiding many financial temptations, and as a result now am totally debt-free. I would recommend following Tom Copland's material on managing money God's way for anyone who is looking to do the same. E.L Ontario, Canada Previous Next