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

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

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

I would just like to say that what you are doing is amazing! I know it is helping many people! I first saw you in your commercial. I am so happy to see a Christian giving Godly based wisdom on finances. I am also glad that I have your messages as a 23-year-old now, that way the rest of my life could be set on the right track. Thank you for what you do, I hope that it never ceases. Your love for the Lord is admirable as well, and you are a fantastic role model. I can’t wait to tell people I know about you! cheers! Back to Testimonials I can't wait to tell people I know about you! I would just like to say that what you are doing is amazing! I know it is helping many people! I first saw you in your commercial. I am so happy to see a Christian giving Godly based wisdom on finances. I am also glad that I have your messages as a 23-year-old now, that way the rest of my life could be set on the right track. Thank you for what you do, I hope that it never ceases. Your love for the Lord is admirable as well, and you are a fantastic role model. I can’t wait to tell people I know about you! cheers! 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

When people get into financial difficulty, many believe that declaring bankruptcy will solve their financial problems. Unfortunately, bankruptcy just treats the symptom. Back to Financial Deceptions Bankruptcy Will Solve My Financial Problems By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 When people get into financial difficulty, many believe that declaring bankruptcy will solve their financial problems. Unfortunately, bankruptcy just treats the symptom. Statistics show that approximately 80 percent of people who go bankrupt, do so again within 10 years. This is generally because the real problem is the violation of God’s financial principles, which often continues even if current debts are eliminated by bankruptcy. The Bible is clear that it is not God’s will for anyone to go bankrupt. “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously” (Psalm 37:21). In other words, it is a sin to declare bankruptcy. On the other hand, a righteous person pays what is owed (which is implied) and goes “the extra mile” by giving generously even where there is no financial obligation. In addition, it is not a good testimony when a Christian declares bankruptcy. Hence, I believe that it is not God’s will for a Christian to go bankrupt. If you are in financial difficulty, I recommend that you learn and implement God’s financial principles in conjunction with a budget. If you do this, God has promised that he will meet your needs (Matthew 6:31–33), but not necessarily your wants and desires. Since 1982, I have had the privilege of counselling more than 300 Christians who have been in financial difficulty. In those situations where the Christian learned and implemented God’s financial principles, God blessed in unusual ways, and no one declared bankruptcy. If you have declared bankruptcy already, then may I encourage you in several ways. 1. God loves you, and God will forgive the act of bankruptcy if you confess that sin to the Lord: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). 2. In dependence upon the Holy Spirit and God’s wisdom from his Word, ask God to reveal to you the real cause(s) of your bankruptcy. Even Christians can unknowingly violate God’s financial principles. Or it may be an ungodly attitude or mindset about money that you need to change. It is critical that you study and meditate on God’s Word with respect to finances so that you have “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) in managing the money that God has entrusted you with. Excellent materials can be obtained from Crown Financial Ministries (www.crown.org ). 3. Develop and implement a budget to ensure that you are spending less than you are earning on a monthly basis so that you have a surplus for non-monthly and unexpected expenditures. A budget is simply a tool that can be used in a practical way to do short-term and long-term financial planning. In summary, the deception of this world is that bankruptcy will solve one’s financial problems. Bankruptcy only treats the symptom. Generally, the true cause of the problem is the violation of one or more biblical principles. I recommend that, in dependence on God, you learn and apply God’s financial principles in conjunction with implementing a budget. Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More

Bible verses on saving, investing and leaving an inheritance, with one-minute videos from Tom Copland on planning for the future. Download the free budget worksheet. Saving, Investing & Estate Planning What does the Bible say about saving, investing and estate planning? Most people spend everything they earn and hope the future takes care of itself. The Bible teaches something different: “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down” (Proverbs 21:20). God calls us to save for future needs, invest wisely and leave an inheritance for our children’s children (Proverbs 13:22). In these one-minute Financial Moments videos , Tom Copland explains how to save steadily, invest without chasing riches, and plan your estate so it honours God and cares for your family. PART 1: SAVING The Joseph Principle God told Joseph to store a fifth of the harvest in the seven good years so Egypt would have food in the seven lean years. Most of us will face a “famine” too: a job loss, an illness, a big repair. Genesis 41:34–36 “Take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance… This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine.” James 4:14 “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” The wise save; fools spend it all Living paycheque to paycheque leaves nothing for the bills we know are coming. Jesus said a wise builder counts the cost first. Proverbs 21:20 “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” Luke 14:28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Save a little at a time God’s way is steady saving over a long time, not a windfall. A budget makes sure you spend less than you earn, so there is something to save. Proverbs 13:11 “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 6:6–8 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!… it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Saving isn’t hoarding Saving for future needs is wise. Storing up more and more and trusting in it is not. The rich fool in Luke 12 wasn’t wrong to have a big harvest; he was wrong to keep it all for himself and trust it instead of God. Luke 12:20–21 “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you… This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Matthew 6:19–20 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” PART 2: INVESTING A biblical perspective on investing Investing isn’t wrong. It’s a way to manage well what God has entrusted to us. The difference is the goal: provide for needs and give generously, not get rich. Matthew 25:27 “Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.” Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Avoid get-rich-quick investments High-risk schemes, borrowing to invest and “sure things” promise fast money. Scripture warns against them. Proverbs 28:20 “A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Proverbs 23:4–5 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich… Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone.” Don’t trust in your investments As savings and investments grow, it’s easy to start trusting them instead of God. 1 Timothy 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God.” Psalm 62:10 “Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” Proverbs 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall.” Diversify to reduce risk Taking some risk is biblical, but spread it out, because no one knows what will happen to any one investment. Ecclesiastes 11:2 “Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.” Ecclesiastes 11:6 “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed.” Proverbs 31:16 “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.” PART 3: ESTATE PLANNING Leave an inheritance Planning your estate is part of faithful stewardship. God owns it all, so plan your estate by seeking His wisdom in prayer and in His Word. Proverbs 13:22 “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Put your house in order: have a will A current, carefully prepared will is a loving gift to your family. It reduces delays, costs and disputes after you die. 2 Kings 20:1 “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die.” 1 Timothy 5:8 “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith.” Wisdom in passing on wealth An inheritance can bless children or harm them. Think about when and how they receive it, and prepare them to manage it. Proverbs 20:21 “An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.” Ecclesiastes 2:18–19 “I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish?” Give from your estate Your estate is one last opportunity to give to God’s work and build treasure in heaven. 1 Timothy 6:18–19 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.” Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This is general biblical teaching, not personal legal, tax or investment advice. For your own situation, talk with a qualified advisor. Go deeper: Financial Planning & Saving for Retirement Have half an hour? Watch Tom’s full session on financial planning and saving for retirement. It’s Session 4 of his 8-part advanced series. All 8 advanced sessions Watch the whole Estate Planning series All 14 Financial Moments on estate planning, one minute each. Watch the full playlist on YouTube, or listen to the audio versions below. 01 Biblical Stewardship Estate planning Play Video 02 Allocate Assets According to God’s Will Play Video 03 Consider Giving Prior to Death Play Video 04 Seek Godly Counsel in Estate Planning Play Video Estate Planning Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close Watch all 14 on YouTube Keep learning, free of charge 1. Download the free budget worksheet. Saving starts with knowing where your money goes. 2. Take the free online course. In the 11-session course Financial Management God’s Way, Session 4 covers saving, Session 6 budgeting and Session 9 investing. 3. Join a free small group. Work through the course with others. 4. Download the free workbook. Follow along at your own pace. 5. Get new Financial Moments by email. Join our email list . Download budget worksheet Start the free course Find a small group Get the workbook Join our email list

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. God's Financial Wisdom for churches and Church Leaders Session 1: God’s Wisdom on Debt & Saving Learn to Listen to God & Discerning God’s will. Sessions 1- God's wisdom on debt and saving for churches Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Session 1 Sessions 2 - God s wisdom on debt and saving for churches Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Session 2: Budgeting, Raising Funds Teaching Members God’s financial Wisdom and Questions before Borrowing Session 2 Sessions 3 God's wisdom on debt and saving for churches Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Session 3: Church Case Studies You've been faithful with a few things. I'll. I'll trust you, with you, with many things. Come and share your master's happiness. Session 2

Amazing! Tom’s knowledge of the bible is extraordinary and God’s call on his life is unmistakable, allowing so many people the opportunity to learn and understand how to manage finances God’s way. I feel truly blessed to have been able to participate and learn from Tom’s wisdom. His generosity in offering this program without charging a fee is testament to his commitment to God and man. Tom lives his faith and demonstrates his faithfulness to love God and love people. Thank you Tom!! Back to Testimonials Tom's faithfulness to love God and love people Amazing! Tom’s knowledge of the bible is extraordinary and God’s call on his life is unmistakable, allowing so many people the opportunity to learn and understand how to manage finances God’s way. I feel truly blessed to have been able to participate and learn from Tom’s wisdom. His generosity in offering this program without charging a fee is testament to his commitment to God and man. Tom lives his faith and demonstrates his faithfulness to love God and love people. Thank you Tom!! W.B. Barrie, ON, Canada Previous Next

In Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus Christ gives us the Parable of the Talents. In this parable, the master represents God, and the servants represent you and me—that is, the people. The master entrusted different amounts of material wealth to three servants. Back to Stewardship Principle God Requires Faithful Stewards By: Tom Copland June 15, 2020 In Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus Christ gives us the Parable of the Talents. In this parable, the master represents God, and the servants represent you and me—that is, the people. The master entrusted different amounts of material wealth to three servants. To one servant, he entrusted five talents of money, to another, two talents, and to another, one talent. This is consistent with real life. Nowhere in scripture does God promise to provide everyone with the same amount of material wealth. When the master returned, he found that the servants with five and two talents had each doubled their money. The servant with one talent had buried his, making no effort to invest his master’s money. It’s interesting to note that the praise God gave the servant who had five talents and earned five more was identical to the praise that he gave to the servant who had two talents and earned two more. That praise was, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25: 21, 23). As for the servant who was entrusted with one talent, he was lazy, wicked, and unfaithful to God. In short, he was not a good biblical steward. What was God’s decision with regard to the unfaithful servant who was entrusted with one talent? Matthew 25:28 and 29 states, “Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (emphasis added). It’s important to understand what this verse means. The words “for everyone who has will be given more” mean that everyone who has been a biblical and faithful steward, God will entrust with more. On the other hand, those have been unfaithful in their stewardship to God will lose even what they have been entrusted with. The servants who were entrusted with five talents and two talents demonstrated faithfulness to God, and thus God entrusted them with more. However, the third servant was not faithful, and therefore even that one talent was taken away from him. I believe that the kind of stewardship that God is looking for could be summarized as follows: Biblical stewardship occurs when a Christian (1) acknowledges in mind and heart that God owns everything (2) acts accordingly—that is, learns and implements God’s principles in managing the money and material things that God has entrusted to him or her (3) utilizes these resources in accordance with God’s will, not one’s own will Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Debt Principles Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

Thank you personally for the teaching which was very transformative. Back to Testimonials Financial Management God's Way for Women I was in the seminar yesterday [Financial Management God's Way for Women] and would like to thank you personally for the teaching which was very transformative. IA Toronto, Canada 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