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

Learn how to manage your money based on Biblical principles. If you have financial questions, let us know and Tom Copland or one of our trained financial coaches will advise you. Upcoming Radio Interview-provide your financial questions _______________ God has opened another door! On Friday, August 29, 2025 from 11 AM to 12 PM and again from 6 PM to 7 PM , I will be the guest speaker on Life 100.3 Radio [Barrie 100.3, Owen Sound 90.1, Huntsville 98.9, and Peterborough 89.3, all stations are located in Ontario, Canada]. However, the program will be pre-recorded. So we encourage you to email us your questions in advance (no later than August 5, 2025) to info@biblefinance.org . Also, we encourage people to ask their question by leaving a voicemail (30-90 seconds), by calling 1-866-735-3370 and then press extension 300 for Steve Jones, including providing your first name and what city you live in. Generally speaking the topic to be discussed will be: "GOD'S FINANCIAL WISDOM FOR GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND VOTERS" If you have a financial question on another topic, feel free to send that in, I will answer your question for sure by email, and if time permits, I will deal with that question during the radio interview. FYI - We will send an email with a link to the recorded show for everyone on our financial moment email list. Please pray that God will give me and Steve Jones his wisdom [James 1:5] and his specific direction [Psalms 32:8] with respect to this radio show interview. Thanks for your prayer support and your questions are appreciated! Tom Copland President Copland Financial Ministries www.coplandfinancialministries.org

All of us are responsible to God, regardless of the amount of material wealth that he has entrusted to us. 1 Corinthians 4:2 states, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful”. Romans 14:12 states, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Back to Stewardship Principle God Requires Faithfulness By: Tom Copland June 15, 2020 All of us are responsible to God, regardless of the amount of material wealth that he has entrusted to us. 1 Corinthians 4:2 states, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful”. Romans 14:12 states, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” God gives different amounts of money and material wealth to different people. However, individual accountability does not change. Luke 12:48 states, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”. In short, those who have been entrusted with larger amounts have the greater responsibility than those who have been entrusted with smaller amounts. As a side point, I would like to point out that this does not mean that a Christian who has limited financial resources has necessarily been an unfaithful or unbiblical steward. In the 21st chapter of Luke, we are told of the widow who gave a few copper coins, which, in terms of monetary value, was insignificant. However, Jesus said that she gave more than all the rest, because they gave out of their great abundance, whereas she gave all that she had to live on. The widow, with her limited amount of material wealth, demonstrated biblical stewardship, while others with significant wealth did not. In addition, we can think of certain great men of God whom God decided in his sovereignty not to entrust with large amounts of material wealth. One example is the Apostle Paul. Notwithstanding his limited financial resources. Paul was still a tremendously committed Christian and an excellent steward of what God did entrust him with. In short, it’s really God’s sovereign decision as to how much he is going to entrust to each individual. Low income does not imply unfaithful stewardship. In summary, regardless of the amount of money that you have, God requires faithful stewardship of the resources that he has entrusted to you. Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Debt Principles Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

There has been a spiritual shift in my finances since taking your class. I didn’t notice much of a difference initially, but a couple of months later I recognized that I was thinking differently about money. I have continued to track my expenses diligently and formulate a budget every 2 weeks. Back to Testimonials A life-changing testimony There has been a spiritual shift in my finances since taking your class. I didn’t notice much of a difference initially, but a couple of months later I recognized that I was thinking differently about money. I have continued to track my expenses diligently and formulate a budget every 2 weeks. God is blessing, my paycheques have increased, and my cost of living has decreased. I also have a strong commitment to pay off my debt… slowly but surely, and strategically. So, thank you for the positive, life-changing impact you have made! I’m excited as I sense this is a “turnaround year” for me on many levels, but especially financially. I’m not “there” yet, but I am moving in the right direction! Judy Toronto, ON, Canada Previous Next

Thanks so much for your advice and all your resources. Your support, advice, validation and sincere heart have been such an encouragement and blessing to us. We left our time with you feeling great peace and clarity, even though all our financial problems are not instantly solved. God used you to speak into our lives and we are so thankful for that. Back to Testimonials Thank you for your advice Thanks so much for your advice and all your resources. Your support, advice, validation and sincere heart have been such an encouragement and blessing to us. We left our time with you feeling great peace and clarity, even though all our financial problems are not instantly solved. God used you to speak into our lives and we are so thankful for that. R.G. Toronto, ON, Canada Previous Next

While I have been aware of the workshop for a long time, I continually put it off because I was embarrassed, and to be honest, refused to submit to God’s truth. I learned that I was not alone. I am already making better choices but recognize that’s is a long way to go. Back to Testimonials I learned that I was not alone While I have been aware of the workshop for a long time, I continually put it off because I was embarrassed, and to be honest, refused to submit to God’s truth. I learned that I was not alone. I am already making better choices but recognize that’s is a long way to go. J.B. Alliston, Ontario Previous Next

I have been ‘debt-free’ for a few years. The joy of being debt-free is tremendous. The funds I saved enabled me to go for a few mission trips and to support other missions. I still receive your financial moments which are very helpful…and still tracking my budget using your template. I am also able to go to school for my. God always met my needs, I never have to worry about my school fees…it always showed up when I need to pay a course. Thank you for your teaching and I will continue to pray for your/God’s financial ministries. Back to Testimonials The joy of being debt-free is tremendous I have been ‘debt-free’ for a few years. The joy of being debt-free is tremendous. The funds I saved enabled me to go for a few mission trips and to support other missions. I still receive your financial moments which are very helpful…and still tracking my budget using your template. I am also able to go to school for my. God always met my needs, I never have to worry about my school fees…it always showed up when I need to pay a course. Thank you for your teaching and I will continue to pray for your/God’s financial ministries. Anonymous Previous Next

It is clear from Scripture that God is indeed in control. If God is in control, then why does he allow Christians to have significant financial problems? Over the past 23 years, I’ve had the privilege of counselling hundreds of Christian couples and individuals. Back to Freedom from Financial Anxiety Why Does God Allow Financial Problems? By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 It is clear from Scripture that God is indeed in control. If God is in control, then why does he allow Christians to have significant financial problems? Over the past 23 years, I’ve had the privilege of counselling hundreds of Christian couples and individuals. One common reason for financial problems is that the people have unknowingly violated one or more of God’s financial principles. I believe there is no substitute for understanding the fundamentals of what God has taught in his Word regarding finances. I recommend the materials and Bible studies provided by Crown Financial Ministries as an excellent resource for understanding what God has to say about finances. On the other hand, some Christians have financial problems through no fault of their own. They have followed God’s principles, but they still have financial problems. Why? I believe that the most common reason would be found in John 15, where Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1, 2, emphasis added) In the same way that a gardener prunes a vine, God prunes his children by way of trials (including financial trials) so that we will depend on God more and remain connected to the Lord on an ongoing basis, for the purpose of bearing more spiritual fruit. Jesus said, “ I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Regardless of how difficult or insurmountable, our financial problems are, we know that God can solve them—either very quickly or slowly. He is in control. He is the all-powerful, everywhere-present, and all-knowing God. We also know that God loves us unconditionally (Rom. 8:38, 39). God has a purpose for any trial in the believer’s life, and God will bring some good out of every hardship. Romans 8: 28, 29 states, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. In short, because God is in control, and because he loves us unconditionally, we know with confidence that we can trust him to allow only those financial trials that are within his will. We can also trust him to provide the wisdom, direction, and strength that we need to endure any financial trial that God allows. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Co-Signing/Surety Read More Investing Read More Priorities Read More

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

1. God owns all the money. “‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:8). Back to Stewardship Principle God Owns Everything By: Tom Copland June 15, 2020 1. God owns all the money. “‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:8). At the time this verse was written, silver and gold were used as a means of exchange (i.e., like money), so I believe a modern-day interpretation of this verse would be that God owns all the money. 2. God owns all the livestock. “Hear, O my people, and I will speak O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:7–10, emphasis added) At the time this verse was written, many people retained material wealth in their livestock, and this was frequently a measure of one’s material resources. 3. God created everything and therefore owns everything: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” (Psalm 24:1, 2) Everything in the heavens and earth is yours O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honour come from you alone, and you are the Ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength. (1 Chronicles 29: 11, 12 TLB) For Christians, I think the most important thing is to acknowledge, in heart and in mind, that God owns everything. In order to do this practically, is important to learn and implement God’s principles as outlined in his Word and utilize the material resources that God has given us according to God’s will and not our own will. Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Debt Principles Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

Thank you Tom Copland for sharing your wisdom and knowledge of the Bible & finance. What you shared about the financial world was spot on - thank God that he has provided His Word to guide us. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless and feed you abundantly. Back to Testimonials Thank you for sharing your wisdom Thank you Tom Copland for sharing your wisdom and knowledge of the Bible & finance. What you shared about the financial world was spot on - thank God that he has provided His Word to guide us. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless and feed you abundantly. R.C. Toronto, ON Previous Next

"I agree 100% with the principles and messages from Copland Ministries. Through the Financial Management process, you can fine tune your finances so that you are on the way to good financial health." Back to Testimonials I agree 100% with the principles and messages from Copland Ministries "I agree 100% with the principles and messages from Copland Ministries. Through the Financial Management process, you can fine tune your finances so that you are on the way to good financial health." T. S. Cebu, Philippines Previous Next