Tom, I am glad to hear that the Financial Ministry is growing and changing people's lives all over the world! Taking your course actually broke a stronghold in mine, I really believe that. I also developed a new money mindset. I am still learning to walk in God's Ways of managing finances, but I have come a long way! I am very interested in taking part in a financial coaching webinar in the future and learning how to help someone else. Back to Testimonials Financial Ministry is growing Tom, I am glad to hear that the Financial Ministry is growing and changing people's lives all over the world! Taking your course actually broke a stronghold in mine, I really believe that. I also developed a new money mindset. I am still learning to walk in God's Ways of managing finances, but I have come a long way! I am very interested in taking part in a financial coaching webinar in the future and learning how to help someone else. J.C. Waterloo, ON, Canada Previous Next

Today almost anything can be purchased with little or no down payment—automobiles, furniture, boats, snowmobiles, etc. Advertisements enticing you with “no payments and no interest” for one to two years are very common. Back to Financial Deceptions It Makes Sense to Buy Now and Pay Later By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 Today almost anything can be purchased with little or no down payment—automobiles, furniture, boats, snowmobiles, etc. Advertisements enticing you with “no payments and no interest” for one to two years are very common. Obtaining credit today is very easy, and it is not uncommon for banks to encourage people to take out a line of credit against the increased value of their homes. “Easy credit” creates a big temptation to “buy now and pay later.” As a result, many people buy things on credit that they cannot afford and frequently do not really need. God’s directive is for us to wait for his provision and his timing. Psalm 37:7 states, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (NASB, emphasis added). Lamentations 3:24 states, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him” Over the past 27 years, I have seen many situations in which Christians have prayed and asked God to meet a particular need. For example, several years ago a Christian couple with a very modest income needed a new vehicle. They prayed and asked God to meet this need, and they waited for God’s provision. Within a few months, someone in their church gave them a used van that was in excellent shape. Clearly, God did provide in a manner that was glorifying to him! Praise God! If you have a need, and if you pray to wait upon the Lord, God can provide in many ways—such as an unexpected income, a better deal, or perhaps another alternative. Unfortunately, today many Christians do not pray and wait for God’s provision. In a sense, they don’t even give God a chance to provide for their needs. Because it is so easy to “buy now and pay later,” they just buy what they want without consulting God and without waiting for God’s provision. In Matthew 6:31–33, God promised that he will meet our needs: “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.” Please note that God has promised to meet our needs but not necessarily our wants and desires. God has also instructed us to be content with what he has provided: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews13:5) In summary, God has promised that he will meet our needs and that it is his desire for us to wait for his provision and his timing. This is very different from the mindset of “buy now and pay later.” Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More

Thanks be to God I am debt-free and I'm able to be used to help others in this world. Many many thanks for your ministry. Back to Testimonials Thanks be to God I am debt-free Dear Tom, I attended one of your courses many years ago. Your teaching and your humbleness before the Lord has stayed with me. Thanks be to God I am debt-free and I'm able to be used to help others in this world. Many many thanks for your ministry. LP Toronto, Canada Previous Next

Thanks again for your time and effort, prayers, and encouragement. Since starting the Copland Budgeting System both my wife and I feel as if a great weight has been lifted, we feel closer to God and closer to each other. My wife says it feels as if the waters have parted and the way has been made clear. Thank you so much for pointing us to God’s wisdom for finances. We are looking forward to working through “Financial Management – God’s Way” Praying for you and your ministry, in Jesus’ precious name. Back to Testimonials Praying for you and your ministry Thanks again for your time and effort, prayers, and encouragement. Since starting the Copland Budgeting System both my wife and I feel as if a great weight has been lifted, we feel closer to God and closer to each other. My wife says it feels as if the waters have parted and the way has been made clear. Thank you so much for pointing us to God’s wisdom for finances. We are looking forward to working through “Financial Management – God’s Way” Praying for you and your ministry, in Jesus’ precious name. Anonymous Previous Next

Many people believe the deception that money will bring happiness. Although additional income can relieve some financial pressures (if the individual or couple manage their money well), money in and of itself does not bring happiness. Money will definitely not provide joy and peace, which only comes from God. Back to Financial Deceptions If I Had More Money, I Would Be Happy By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 Many people believe the deception that money will bring happiness. Although additional income can relieve some financial pressures (if the individual or couple manage their money well), money in and of itself does not bring happiness. Money will definitely not provide joy and peace, which only comes from God. Ecclesiastes 5:10 states, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.” Over the years, I’ve seen many couples with significant amounts of wealth who have no peace and joy. I think of one couple who started with nothing and accumulated about $40 million worth of assets. However, their unhappiness was evident to anyone who knew them. They were always arguing with each other and with their kids and employees, and they appeared “stressed out” all the time. Certainly, there was no “peace of God, which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Only God, through his Holy Spirit, can bring true peace and happiness. Jesus said: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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 14:26, 27, emphasis added). There are many people in North America who have significant amounts of wealth yet are frustrated, angry, weary, and unhappy. Frankly, some are even Christians who are not experiencing God’s joy and peace. Remember that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law (Galatians 5:22, 23, emphasis added). Jesus provides an invitation to everyone who is weary and burdened: “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” (Matthew 11:28–30, emphasis added). In summary, based upon God’s Word and 30 years’ experience of working with some very wealthy people, I’m convinced that the key to happiness is not more money but rather a close personal relationship with God. In the 15th chapter of John, Jesus called this “abiding,” which means to be connected to and in communication with God on an ongoing basis. For more information on “abiding in Christ,” I recommend the book titled Secrets of the Vine by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson (Multnomah Publishers, 2001). Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More

In this world, we are bombarded with all kinds of advertisements and advice that entice us to borrow money. As a result, many people believe the lie that it’s okay to “buy now and pay later” or that “smart people use other people’s money”. Back to Debt Principles God's Warning - Debt is Dangerous! By: Tom Copland June 15, 2020 In this world, we are bombarded with all kinds of advertisements and advice that entice us to borrow money. As a result, many people believe the lie that it’s okay to “buy now and pay later” or that “smart people use other people’s money”. What many people don’t realize is that this advice is contrary to God’s Word, the Bible, as God warns in Proverbs 22:7 that if you borrow money, you will likely become a servant to the lender. “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a servant to the lender.” [NIV] “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. [NASB] The biblical truth is that we are here on this earth to serve God, not a lender. When you borrow money, you are limiting your future options and legally committing yourself to service the debt. In the process of servicing the debt, you may become a servant to the lender and encounter one or more of the following detrimental consequences: Detrimental Consequences: 1. A spouse must work additional hours in order to repay debts, and as a result, family relationships suffer (I Timothy 5:8). 2. A wife does not have the option to stay at home with her children, as she must work in order to help her husband “service” their debt load. 3. A Bible college or seminary graduate is unable to accept a full-time job in ministry, as the salary is insufficient to enable him or her to repay student loans. 4. An older individual or couple cannot retire but must continue to work (regardless of health issues) in order to meet their financial obligations. 5. Many people experience anxiety and stress from their debt load because they have used credit cards and/or personal lines of credit to “live beyond their means”. 6. When debts accumulate, generally giving to God’s work decreases or disappears. 7. With a lot of debt, you could be forced into bankruptcy and lose everything. 8. Nasty calls from creditors and threats from lenders to repossess your home, car etc. will generate tension between a husband and wife, destroying their relationship and often resulting in divorce. 9. Many family businesses have been forced into receivership, because of their debt load. 10. Debt causes stress, which frequently results in health problems. 11. A Christian’s time and energy are consumed by money related problems, reducing your time with the Lord and His word, thus hindering their relationship with God (Mathew 6:24). In light of the above, it’s no wonder that every reference in the Bible to borrowing is negative! You won’t find one positive reference in Scripture with respect to borrowing. God loves us and he does not want us to become a servant to a lender and suffer the consequences outlined above. In summary, God warns of the dangers of debt and strongly discourages borrowing. In upcoming financial moments, I will expand on what the Bible says on debt and provide some practical steps to get out of debt. More Topics Stewardship Principle Read More The Joseph Principle Read More Financial Deceptions Read More

Thank-you for leading our finance course! It has helped convict my heart to make some practical changes. The difference between this course and the other course Jamie and I did 8-9 years ago is the infusion of God's word into the curriculum. It's neat having my Bible beside me while I'm working through the case studies. So, thank you both (and Tom Copland) for providing such a strong Biblical foundation to what we are learning. I'm finding not only is my mind (and pocket-book) being challenged, but my heart is as well. I feel God is challenging my thinking on faith and trust in Him as well. Back to Testimonials It has helped convict my heart Thank-you for leading our finance course! It has helped convict my heart to make some practical changes. The difference between this course and the other course Jamie and I did 8-9 years ago is the infusion of God's word into the curriculum. It's neat having my Bible beside me while I'm working through the case studies. So, thank you both (and Tom Copland) for providing such a strong Biblical foundation to what we are learning. I'm finding not only is my mind (and pocket-book) being challenged, but my heart is as well. I feel God is challenging my thinking on faith and trust in Him as well. T.N. Calgary, AB Previous Next

I was on your zoom call last evening I truly am thankful for clear biblical empathize on money. I have and at times continue to struggle with treating God’s money God’s way but by His grace, the battle is being won. Please keep doing this. Back to Testimonials Please keep doing this I was on your zoom call last evening I truly am thankful for clear biblical empathize on money. I have and at times continue to struggle with treating God’s money God’s way but by His grace, the battle is being won. Please keep doing this. Daniel Dakin ON, Canada Previous Next

Many people believe it is good financial thinking to use borrowed money to make a lot of money. In other words, “smart people use other people’s money,” not their own. This is a lie from the world and Satan. The only way that is true is if you can predict the future—that is, know with certainty the direction of markets and the economy. Back to Financial Deceptions Smart People Use Other People's Money By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 Many people believe it is good financial thinking to use borrowed money to make a lot of money. In other words, “smart people use other people’s money,” not their own. This is a lie from the world and Satan. The only way that is true is if you can predict the future—that is, know with certainty the direction of markets and the economy. The biblical truth is that only God knows the future. Humans can make our best guess about the future, but frequently we are wrong. The past 100 years have shown that no human being can consistently predict the direction of the markets. For example, from 1993 to 2000 the value of most stocks in Canada and the United States increased significantly. With false confidence, many people “used other people’s money”—that is, borrowed capital—with the objective of increasing their returns. From 2000 to 2002, on average, the shares on Toronto and New York exchanges decreased about 50 percent in value. People who used debt lost a lot of money. Some lost not only their original capital but ended up in a deficit as their stocks’ value dropped below the amount they had borrowed. The same principle applies to real estate. During the middle and late 1980s, the value of real estate increased significantly in the Toronto area. Many people believed it would never go down. However, between 1990 and 1995, the values dropped drastically. Some commercial real estate decreased by 75 percent in value, and residential by 50 percent. People with a lot of debt were hurt badly, and in some cases lost their home or investment property. Over the years, I’ve seen many business people try to use significant debt to their advantage. Although there may have been periods when they benefited as the company expanded faster than it otherwise would have, in due course, every business encounters difficult times, and generally, it is companies with a lot of debt that suffer the most, and some are forced into bankruptcy. The Biblical truth is that we do not know what will happen tomorrow. Proverbs 27:1 states, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” In other words, there are no “sure deals.” The same principle applies in business. God warns us, Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13–15) In summary, we do not know what will happen tomorrow—only God knows the future. Therefore, we should utilize minimal debt—or ideally carry no debt—in regard to investments and business expansion. Overall, the instruction in God’s Word is toward minimal debt, not maximum debt. (Please see my Financial Moments on borrowing for further details.) Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More

It is now 2026 and we are so blessed to say our business is debt free! We are only in our early forties, with Gods help this is possible for you too! All the glory goes to God! Back to Testimonials Business Testimonial We thought having large amounts of debt to run a business was a good and normal practice. We were very stressed and we did not give to the Lords work regularly. We new something was wrong and we needed to change our financial system. Something did change, in 2019 the Lord directed us to Copland Financial Ministry. We signed up to take the small group classes was offered [on Zoom titled "Financial Management God's Way"]. We learned so much. The Bible is full of financial wisdom. We got very serious about handling our finances Gods way. We started aggressively paying down our debt and giving to the Lord regularly. It is now 2026 and we are so blessed to say our business is debt free! We are only in our early forties, with Gods help this is possible for you too! All the glory goes to God! L & A Saskatchewan, Canada Previous Next

Jesus said, “If you have not been trustworthy in the handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11). I believe that many Christians assume that there is no connection between their spirituality and how they handle money. Back to Priorities Are you Pursuing God's True Riches? By: Tom Copland June 13, 2020 Jesus said, “If you have not been trustworthy in the handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11). I believe that many Christians assume that there is no connection between their spirituality and how they handle money. But in this verse, Jesus Christ is communicating that our faithfulness (or the lack thereof) in regard to money will significantly affect the extent to which God entrusts us with His “true riches.” I believe that God’s “true riches”—that is, the things that are really important to God—include the following: 1. A Close Personal Relationship with God. There is nothing more important in this life than our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul considered a relationship with Christ more valuable than everything else (Philippians 3:8). 2. God’s Peace. God has promised his peace when we are directed by His Spirit: “But the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). 3. God’s joy. God has promised us his joy when we are in His presence. Psalm 16:11 states, “In your presence is the fullness of joy” (NKJV). At first, it may be difficult to believe that faithful stewardship (or the lack thereof) with money would affect one’s relationship with God and one’s peace and joy. However, in Matthew 6:24, Jesus made it clear that money can be a serious competitor in our relationship with God: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Let me give you one common example of how our relationship with money affects our relationship with God. If an individual or couple are spending more than they earn on a monthly basis, then in due course, they will experience financial problems. Generally, people under significant financial stress will be focused on those problems, which will take up a lot of their time and energy. This will inadvertently affect their relationship with God. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). In addition, the anxiety that comes from financial problems and excessive debt will generally result in a lack of peace and joy in one’s life. I’ve never met anyone who was happy about missing a mortgage payment or car loan payment. In summary, your faithful stewardship of the money that God has trusted to you will enable you to enjoy God’s “true riches”—which include a close personal relationship with God, God’s peace, and God’s joy. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Investing Counsel & Wisdom Stewardship Principle Read More Read More Read More

We want to say thank you! We have been attending your zoom study on financial management God's way. We have both learned so much. Personally, I never dreamed the Bible had so much to say on finances. We are currently working on a budget for ourselves and are actively paying down our debt. Thank you so much for teaching this awesome study. Back to Testimonials Zoom Webinar Testimony We want to say thank you! We have been attending your zoom study on financial management God's way. We have both learned so much. Personally, I never dreamed the Bible had so much to say on finances. We are currently working on a budget for ourselves and are actively paying down our debt. Thank you so much for teaching this awesome study. L.A. Oxbow, SK, Canada Previous Next