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I’m reading through that book by Tom Copland. Wow is it good and wow did I break so many principles of God! It’s very confusing as I thought this was the will of the Lord how it came about but he says at the beginning that Tom said God uses financial issues as trials as well. Back to Testimonials Financial Moments, Biblical Principles That Will Transform How You Manage Money Adam - I’m reading through that book by Tom Copland. Wow is it good and wow did I break so many principles of God! It’s very confusing as I thought this was the will of the Lord how it came about but he says at the beginning that Tom said God uses financial issues as trials as well - so many times it’s both but I did sin looking back . I admit that I made horrendous decisions, I will learn from them and not make the same errors in the future as the Lord brings income since if this was successful I would have taken on similar risks in future deals. Many lessons to take from this and he did change me in the process and save me from greater disaster as the business would not have been able to support everything I was trying to accomplish. Adam Previous Next

God admonishes us to obtain counsel. Proverbs 12:15 states, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel” (NASB), and Proverbs 15:22 states, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.” Obtain Biblical Counsel Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 God admonishes us to obtain counsel. Proverbs 12:15 states, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel” (NASB), and Proverbs 15:22 states, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.” God recommends that we obtain biblical counsel from a godly investment adviser and God’s Word. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prosper. (Psalm 1:1–3) I believe that the following are excellent sources of godly biblical counsel. 1. First, and foremost, spend quality time with the Lord in prayer and ask God to reveal his counsel to you through the Holy Spirit. “But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, ‘First seek the counsel of the LORD.’” (1 Kings 22:5) God has promised that he will provide his counsel and direction in all matters, including investing. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8) 2. Meditate on God’s Word to ensure that any proposed investment is within biblical guidelines. “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counsellors.” (Psalm 119:24) For example, use minimal debt, or ideally no debt, as God’s Word discourages the use of debt (Proverbs 22:7). The use of debt increases the risk and the volatility of your portfolio. 3. In addition, before making any major decision, seek the advice of two or three godly investment counsellors/advisers. In my view, an appropriate definition for such a person would be as follows: a spiritually mature Christian who understands and applies God’s investment principles (Psalm 111:10), has a close personal relationship with God (John 15), has the necessary practical investment knowledge (Proverbs 24:3, 4) and habitually puts the interests of clients first (Philippians 2:3, 4. I believe that one of your investment counsellors should be your spouse (Genesis 2:24), even if he or she has limited investment knowledge. God, through his Holy Spirit, can give his peace or lack of peace to an objective spouse who is not emotionally excited about or biased against a particular investment. After obtaining the counsel outlined above, it is your responsibility to pray and ask God to give you his wisdom (James 1:5) in weighing that advice. Proverbs 14:15 states, “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” In summary, before making any major investment decision, I recommend that you seek counsel, from God and his Word, two or three godly investment advisers, and from your spouse. Proceed only after God has given you his peace and his wisdom in respect to that particular investment decision. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

An individual’s ministry effectiveness will generally be significantly influenced by the biblical or non-biblical use of money. Jesus indicated that, if you are not trustworthy with money, then God will not entrust you with something of greater importance, which Christ called the “true riches. “If you have not been trustworthy in the handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11). Back to Priorities Effective Ministry By: Tom Copland June 13, 2020 An individual’s ministry effectiveness will generally be significantly influenced by the biblical or non-biblical use of money. Jesus indicated that, if you are not trustworthy with money, then God will not entrust you with something of greater importance, which Christ called the “true riches. “If you have not been trustworthy in the handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11). I believe that God’s “true riches” include a close relationship with God, God’s peace, and God’s joy. In addition, I believe that God’s “true riches” include an effective ministry that has been blessed by God. It is interesting to note that one of the requirements for an elder is that the person must not be a “lover of money” and must be able to manage one’s own family well—which, by the way, would include managing family finances in a godly fashion (1 Timothy 3:3–5). From a practical perspective, 1 Timothy 3:5 raises this question: “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” Further, some biblical scholars interpret the “true riches” that Jesus Christ is referring to in Luke 16:11 to include spiritual responsibilities, which obviously affects one’s ministry. It is important to note that the verse preceding Luke 16:11 indicates that an individual must demonstrate faithfulness in a small amount before God will entrust him or her with a larger amount. Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” In short, it is one’s character that determines the extent of one’s faithfulness to God, not the amount of money a person has been entrusted with. In summary, if a Christian is not faithful to God in regard to something of less importance, such as money and material things, then why would God entrust one with something of greater importance, which would include an effective ministry that has been blessed by God? I believe there is no substitute for studying and meditating on God’s Word with regard to finances. This, in conjunction with prayer, will enable you to determine God’s will for your life in regard to the money he has entrusted you with. As you implement God’s financial principles, God will provide you with his peace and joy in regard to finances as well as an effective ministry. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Investing Counsel & Wisdom Stewardship Principle Read More Read More Read More

Human tendency is to respond to what is happening in the financial markets or news from the media. Good news frequently provides confidence or triggers greed, which tempts us to buy; bad news makes us feel uncomfortable or fearful, which results in a desire to sell. Following God's Directives Not Human Tendencies Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 Human tendency is to respond to what is happening in the financial markets or news from the media. Good news frequently provides confidence or triggers greed, which tempts us to buy; bad news makes us feel uncomfortable or fearful, which results in a desire to sell. Generally, good news causes the market to go up, and bad news causes the market to go down. Therefore, if you follow the normal human tendency, which is to rely on your emotions in making investment decisions, it means that you will buy high and sell low. This, of course, is the opposite of what you want to do, and it is not consistent with God’s investment principles. First, our trust should be in God, not in any particular investment or money manager Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. (Proverbs 3:25–26, emphasis added) In regard to greed, Jesus warns us, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). If you struggle with greed, I suggest that you pray and ask God to change your heart (Proverbs 21:1). Also be sure to give generously to God’s work, because giving generally helps a believer deal with greed. In response to bad news, God’s directive for the righteous man is this: “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD” (Psalm 112:7). Therefore, when you hear bad news from the media, or if the markets have decreased significantly in value, I recommend that before you make any investment decisions, you spend quality time with the Lord in prayer, seeking his direction and his wisdom. Only God knows the future, and only God is in control. “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” (Isaiah 46:9–11, emphasis added) Another human tendency is to make investment decisions on impulse, or in response to “hot tips” or “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” On the other hand, the directive in Scripture is toward planning, diligence, and patience. Proverbs 21:5 states, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Hasty investment decisions usually lead to losses. Once a year, I spend several hours in prayer, seeking God’s wisdom (James 1:5) and direction (Psalm 32:8) for the investments he has entrusted to me. I develop a biblically-based investment strategy, including percentage asset allocations to each category, i.e., bonds, Canadian equities, global equities, etc. (See my two Financial Moments on diversification.) On a quarterly basis, I prayerfully review the portfolio, and as long as God gives me his peace, I will generally sell assets that have increased in value and purchase assets in categories that have decreased in value. This forces me to “sell high and buy low” and to avoid responding to market conditions, “hot tips,” and media news. Between these “reviews,” I generally ignore the media and the markets. In summary, follow God’s directives (prayer, planning, and patience), not human tendencies such as fear and greed. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. “ (Proverbs 16:3) Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

The following steps should enable you to learn and implement God’s investment principles. 1. Pray and depend on God for his wisdom (James 1:5) and his direction (Psalm 32:8) when investing, because no human can consistently predict the direction of the markets (James 4:13–15). Overview Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 The following steps should enable you to learn and implement God’s investment principles. 1. Pray and depend on God for his wisdom (James 1:5) and his direction (Psalm 32:8) when investing, because no human can consistently predict the direction of the markets (James 4:13–15). Listen for God’s “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12), because only God knows the future and God is in control (1 Chronicles 29:11, 12). 2. Develop and implement a biblically-based investment strategy that reflects God’s will for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Understanding God’s financial principles will enable you to avoid a lot of bad investments. 3. Diversify your investments in accordance with Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2. This requires allocation of your assets into different types of investments that will likely react differently to any particular market condition, which will reduce the risk and volatility of your portfolio. (Note there are two Financial Moments on this topic.) 4. Use minimal—or ideally no—debt, because God’s Word strongly discourages the use of debt. People who use leverage aggressively will likely be forced by a lender to sell at the wrong time—when their investments have decreased in value (Proverbs 22:7). 5. Ensure that you understand the investment. Generally, people lose money when they invest in something they do not understand (Proverbs 19:2). 6. Assess your tolerance for risk, and invest accordingly. It is biblical to assume some investment risk; however, if you don’t feel comfortable with the volatility of your portfolio, then reduce your equities and increase Canada bonds. 7. Avoid “get rich quick investments” and hasty decisions. If you do not have enough time to pray and evaluate a particular investment, then do not invest. Hasty decisions are usually bad decisions (Proverbs 21:5). God recommends saving and accumulating assets over a long period of time (Proverbs 13:11). 8. Obtain biblical counsel from more than one source (Proverbs 15:22). Ensure that your investment advisers understand God’s financial principles because, unfortunately, many Christians do not, and they inadvertently give unbiblical advice (Psalm 1:1–3). 9. Ensure that your motives are godly and not worldly (Proverbs 16:2). 10. Follow God’s directives (e.g., planning, patience), not human tendencies like fear and greed. 11. Give to God’s work, as it produces eternal benefits! (Matthew 19:28, 29) 12. Keep a balanced perspective on investing (1 Timothy 6:6–8). It is appropriate to invest with the objective of saving for future needs; however, don’t overdo it—don’t spend excessive amounts of time and energy on investing, as this is not God’s will (Proverbs 23:4, 5). The above is intended to provide an overview of God’s principles with respect to investing. Further details are provided in my individual Financial Moments for each step. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom 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

As explained in my previous Financial Moment, God’s Word recommends the diversification of one’s portfolio into different types of investments that will likely react differently to any particular market condition. Diversification (2 of 2) Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 As explained in my previous Financial Moment, God’s Word recommends the diversification of one’s portfolio into different types of investments that will likely react differently to any particular market condition. By the way, if you have absolutely no peace in investing in equities because of the related risks, then perhaps God is directing you to invest solely in very safe categories, such as the government of Canada bonds, GICs, etc. The return on “a very safe portfolio” will be very modest, and therefore you will likely have to save considerably more money to meet future needs, compared to an investor who assumes a reasonable amount of risk within biblical guidelines. There is no “perfect portfolio allocation” for all Christians. God’s Word provides general principles—not specific details. That’s why there is absolutely no substitute for spending quality time with the Lord in prayer, asking God for His wisdom (James 1:5) and His specific direction with respect to investing the money that God has entrusted to you. God has promised to direct us [Psalms 32:8, John 10:3, 4, 27]. Subject to God’s specific direction, and under normal market and economic conditions, the following asset allocation could be appropriate in order to achieve diversification. Cash, T-bills, MMFs, 10% GICs, bonds-short, medium, long–incl some real return bonds 40% Canadian equities (several sectors incl Cdn banks & resource stocks.) 20% U.S. equities (several sectors) 10% Real estate, REITs and related equities 5% International equities incl Emerging Markets & Europe 15% Total 100% Note the above is not intended to be a specific recommendation for anyone – just an example of a diversified portfolio. Be sure to obtain investment advice from a trusted advisor. Of interest, as of the date of updating this financial moment [March 27, 2010], my own personal portfolio allocation is predominately in cash. God has specifically directed me to take a very conservative position as I sense from the Lord that the economic “recovery” in the USA and Canada will be weak and short-lived. Again, the biblical principle is that we should generally diversify our portfolios in a manner that is consistent with Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2. However, since only God knows the future (Isaiah 46: 9, 10), then the only possible way to “time the market” with any consistency is in total dependence upon God for his specific direction (see John 15:5, John 10:3, 4, 27, Psalm 32:8). Over the years, I have seen a few situations where God has revealed the direction of markets to his children, but this is rare. God may not reveal the direction of the markets to you, but I do believe, based upon God’s Word [e.g.Psalms 32:8, James 1:5, John 10:3, 4, 27 etc.], that God will direct you as to how he wants you to invest the money that he has entrusted to you. In summary, God’s Word generally recommends diversification of one’s portfolio into different types of investments that will likely react differently to any particular market condition. Since no human knows the future (James 4:13–15), in order to obey God with respect to investing, it is necessary to pray and listen [John 10:3, 4, 27] for God’s specific Will with respect to investing the money that God has entrusted to you. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

I couldn't express enough how grateful I am to have Christine, and now Ton, helping us. Christine is incredibly skilled, creative and the most amazing blessing in so many ways! Back to Testimonials Sincerest thanks and may the Lord continue to bless you, your family and Copland financial ministries. Dear Tom, I couldn't express enough how grateful I am to have Christine, and now Ton, helping us. Christine is incredibly skilled, creative and the most amazing blessing in so many ways! I'm not exaggerating, in any way, that my life is so much fuller with her in it. Her help and wonderful person she is are a miracle in motion. I am/we are so incredibly blessed to have made this connection through you. I was near to giving up, in my own affairs, but feel so much hope moving forward. And, especially relieved and thankful for help with Paul's affairs. Sincerest thanks and may the Lord continue to bless you, your family and Copland financial ministries. SR & PN Stouffville Ontario Canada Previous Next

Growing up, my parents and grandparents never overspent on anything and neither did I (but we are not holy and righteous). However, while I thought I was “pretty good in terms of everything” especially money management, my daughter’s credit card debts surfaced in 2013 after she was baptized and moved away from home to university. For the first time, she had a lot of money to manage, from student loans, ESF education saving fund, part time jobs to monetary gifts from relatives. Back to Testimonials God answers prayer with respect to a wayward daughter Background I was born into an atheist family tree, in Communist country where people believed Karl Marx’s theory "Religion is the sign of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people”. The culture I grew up in was founded on atheistic philosophy with no room for belief in God, but each one has his or her own god. When-where - how I met Jesus In the late 30’s, I immigrated to Toronto with my family of three. My ex-husband left me and my 6-year-old daughter in a new country in a rental apartment, when I was laid-off from work, when my father was sick (that's another testimony, my father was healed and still alive today, please pray for his salvation), with no friends and family around. No one called to check in on us, but miraculously the Lord called and invited us to visit HIS family, His church through HIS children. It was then and there, I knew Jesus, my Lord and my little girl attended Sunday School for the first time, a school I never knew nor attended as a child. From then the mustard seed was planted in my daughter's heart. Looking back, I wish I would have been like Simon Peter and Andrew in Ma.4:19 “at once they left their nets and followed” without hesitation when the Lord said “Come, follow me”. It took me almost 3 years (The Lord is patient) to accept Jesus as my personal saviour and I was baptized on Easter Sunday 2003. That decision I have made is my turning point, where I was called to a new life, just like God’s call to Abraham to leave Ur and go to Canaan. God called me to leave my country, my kin, and my fathers’ house to go to the land he will show me (Gen. 12:1). I saw God’s salvation plan unfold concerning me (Who am I? 2 Samuel 7:18) that started from a geographical move to a spiritual move, from social and cultural influences of “my country, my people and self-righteousness father’s household, from and through all the brokenness of divorce, unemployment, loneliness, uncertainty, and from all kinds of fears to HIS kingdom, where I have a KING, Jesus who cares for me.” The Lord has plans for me which are stated in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” I could testify day and night of every act of mercy and grace the Lord God has shown to me, the life I have now in Christ is a living testimony and a living sacrifice I long to offer to my Savior. I no longer belong to my country where I was born, my sinful family tree and the people and culture which used to influence and shape me, instead, I bear HIS Name, Yahweh, Jesus, the Most High. My identity is not a divorced woman or a single mom (those are my temporary social status though), “You are Mine” says the Lord in Is.43:1, and God made me who I am to show the world who HE is. Our crisis, HIS opportunity Growing up, my parents and grandparents never overspent on anything and neither did I (but we are not holy and righteous). However, while I thought I was “pretty good in terms of everything” especially money management, my daughter’s credit card debts surfaced in 2013 after she was baptized and moved away from home to university. For the first time, she had a lot of money to manage, from student loans, ESF education saving fund, part time jobs to monetary gifts from relatives. Like Proverbs 21:20 described, she “spends whatever she gets” without giving any thought of saving, planning, and budgeting; the buy now pay later mentality and the minimum payment option became the norm to her - something I never taught her nor did myself, but the world. When I asked her what gifts she would like to have on her birthday or for Christmas, she expressed it would be appreciated if I could pay her credit card balance as her friends’ parents did to her friends. I paid her credit card balance a number of times and even suggested to cut-off her credit card, but she still continued to have unpaid balances and piled up interest here and there. The hardest part was watching my girl who grew up from Church (almost every Sunday), drifting away from the truth, being in debt, and experiencing depression and anxiety. They were like mountains over her (also over me), from a joyful girl she became very angry and hard to communicate with. I knew this was something beyond what I was able to handle and fight on my own (in fact we control nothing). I agree with Tom who said, “Sometimes, the root of financial problems goes beyond the financial sphere and into the spiritual” in Financial Management God's Way. Deliverance through repentance I don't remember how many times my face was covered in tears behind closed doors, inside my car, during Sunday services, and in the middle of the night. I went to the Lord in prayer as Daniel did in Daniel 9 “Lord, I confess I didn’t train her up in the way she should go, nor did I bring her up with the discipline and instruction that comes from YOU.” Rather than reading the Bible to and with her, I encouraged her to call the toll-free story lines, and I ordered senseless magazines and novels for her that had no divine spiritual wisdom. I sent her to all kinds of extracurricular activities such as art classes, karate, supplementary academic courses - all of which are not bad things, but without the realization that having a relationship with Jesus should have come first before anything else. Apart from taking her to church each Sunday, I rarely prayed for or with her throughout her life, only times when she was sick or struggling. I let television, and pop culture influence her instead of teaching her the ways of the Lord. I admitted to the Lord that I am the one described in Psalm of Asaph Ps.73:22 “senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You”. For the first time in my Christian life, over a decade after baptism, I committed myself to the Word. I was called to take my sandals off, did my spiritual inventory check, wrote down all the sins I have committed since I was little, prayed one by one with a trustworthy church sister, prayed the cleansing, deliverance and renewing prayers according to 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I was called “go and be reconciled” to my daughter, (Ma. 5: 23-24.) I asked my daughter to forgive me for all my parenting mistakes and all of the unkind things I have done and said, and for being insensitive or even heartless to the hurts I have caused to her emotionally and mentally. Transformed to a praying woman and mom and servant of God During those challenging years, I learned to praise the Lord for my daughter's life, not to accuse her as she is wonderfully and fearfully made with God's very image. I thank God for protecting her from the very beginning of her life from abortion (that's another testimony) as she is truly not my plan, but God’s. As it says in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you”. So I prayed, “Lord, may your powerful hand reach down from on high and take hold of your daughter, draw her out of deep waters and rescue her from her powerful enemy of credit card debt, depression and anxiety and those underneath the surface I am unable to know and see, those she doesn’t want to let me know, they are too strong for her”. The Lord responded to me with 2 Chronicles 20:15 “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” During those challenging years, I asked my pastors and trusted church members to pray for my daughter, I asked my mother (that's another testimony) and her church to pray for my daughter. I was also introduced to Stormie Omartian's “The Power of a Praying Parent” book, which starts with Lamentations 2:19 “Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children”. So, I learned “Always Keep on Praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 TLB) and stayed in contact with the Most High in “all occasions, with all kinds of prayers, and all kinds of requests”. The Word of God was and is my weapon as it is written in Hebrews 4:12. My bedroom closet, my car, kitchen, bedroom, living room all became my “war rooms” and altars built to the Lord. The Truth sets us free On my daughter’s side, there were a lot of good changes that happened, which exceeded my expectations or what I could ever imagine. She started asking me and other church members to pray for her, started attending church, praying for herself, and reading the Bible. Long story short in the new year of 2019, she re-dedicated herself to the Lord, consciously prayed the sinner's prayer and made a conscious declaration to accept Jesus as her Lord and saviour again. She was re-baptized and shared her testimony before the presence of the Lord, her heavenly Father at Connect Church. Later on, when she graduated from University, God heard her prayer and granted her a very promising job as a new graduate. She was set free from the bondage of credit card debt, and she learned to plan and budget. She tithes faithfully, and amazingly, the depression and anxiety were cured with almost no medication. “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31). She sponsored a 12-year-old boy in Africa with the income Father God gives her. In mid 2021, God also blessed her with a property of her own to manage. During the pandemic, God called her to partner with HIM in youth ministry at Connect Church. She studies the Word and shares the understanding that God revealed to her with me all the time. Our dining table has become our altar of thanksgiving, prayers have become our first choice, resort, and our lifeline to God. On my birthday this year, instead of going to a restaurant, my daughter took a day off, spent 7 hours preparing a party of 7 with a budget of $70 dollars, and the final cost was $67.03. Instead of buying a birthday card, she crafted a beautiful one, she wrote: “Mom, God knew you long before your birthday, He knew your life and He knew you would be called out of the land you knew into a far and foreign land. Who could have imagined that this is our life today? God has redeemed us and been faithful to us. He had not broken a single promise. I was reading 1 Samuel and Hannah's prayer spoke to me. In her sorrow she went to the temple and prayed for a child so intensely but so simple, and then she promised that her son would be dedicated back to God. When she followed through on her promise & dedicated Samuel, the Lord blessed her with 5 more children. I know you prayed without ceasing for me, a simple yet desperate prayer for God to move in my life, and HE has. Because God has been faithful to keep His promises, I will be faithful to serve. God knows the desires (needs) of our hearts, and He will bless His children because He loves us....” While I was reading the card, I saw Luke 15 replaying in slow motion. “when she (mother and daughter) was still a great way off, her FATHER saw her and had compassion, and ran and threw His arms around her neck, and kissed her”; I heard the FATHER say to his servants, “bring out the best robe and put it on her, and put a ring on her hand and sandals on her feet”; I heard David Leonard singing his song "I will wait" that says: “In the morning, I will rise up, shed the darkness, and bathe in Your light. And I recount all, every blessing. The words You've spoken, that bring me new life. I am reminded from where You have brought me. And where You have placed me for today. And I won't forget that Your hand will hold me. Your love sustains me through the wait. Oh the burdens that I've carried. They are heavy, oh too heavy to hold. There's a river, there's a sunrise, I will wait on You, Lord.” In that moment, I rose up and embraced my daughter and four hands held together I prayed “Father God, thank you for your generosity and loyalty chasing after us, thank you for making us be right with you and thank you for fighting for us in the heavenly Realms…Pray for us Lord as you have prayed for Peter, so our faith may not fail. We wait on YOU till the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we love YOU.” Ps. I am a born-again Christian and attended Financial Management God's Way for Singles hosted by TCM on Zoom during Aug- Nov 2021. S.L. New Tecumseth, ON, Canada Previous Next

Thank You Tom for all you do. I hope you know you are breaking chains and setting people free because that is exactly what you are faithfully doing. Back to Testimonials Thank You Tom for all you do. I can see in the Spirit that Jesus will be Present and He is holding rewards in His both hands for He rewards those who diligently seek him, as you and your team do on a daily basis. Jesus declares that there will be no lack. He will abundantly supply all that is needed. Thank You Tom for all you do. I hope you know you are breaking chains and setting people free because that is exactly what you are faithfully doing. W.P. Shawville Quebec, Canada Previous Next

Giving to God’s work is an investment with eternal rewards for both the giver and the beneficiaries of the gift. In regard to the giver, Jesus said: “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). Giving to God's Work Produces Eternal Benefits Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 Giving to God’s work is an investment with eternal rewards for both the giver and the beneficiaries of the gift. In regard to the giver, Jesus said: “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). There are also eternal benefits for the recipients of the gift. For example, when you give money to an evangelical organization (including your church), and through that organization, someone accepts Jesus Christ as personal Savior, then that individual will be in heaven for eternity. Although investing to provide for future family needs is something that God wants us to do (1 Timothy 5:8), giving to God’s work is even more important, as it stores up “treasures in heaven.” Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19, 20). It is easy to become focused on building your portfolio. However, investments are temporary: “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7). As God blesses your investments, avoid hoarding. Jesus warned, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). I recommend that at least two times per year, you obtain an update of the fair market value of your investments, and ensure that you are giving at least 10 percent of the increased value of those investments to God’s work, in addition to any giving of your regular personal income. Remember, the tithe is the smallest percentage mentioned anywhere in scripture, and the emphasis in God’s Word is to give generously. (See Luke 6:38 and Matthew 13:44–46). Note that when Zacchaeus became a believer, he gave 50 percent of his assets in demonstration of his thankfulness for salvation in Christ (Luke 19:8). God instructs us to give him “the first fruits.” Proverbs 3:9 states, “Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” When we make giving to God’s work a priority, God has promised that he will bless us financially. If you make giving to God’s work a priority, God has promised that he will entrust you with even more money (2 Corinthians 9:6). Why? So you can spend it on yourself or hoard it? No, God’s purpose for entrusting you with more money is that you can give even more to his work! Now [God] who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:10–11, emphasis added) Jesus promised that if we sacrifice now, the return on our investment (as a result of giving to God’s work) will be a hundredfold in eternity! “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19: 29, emphasis added) Remember, there is absolutely no earthly investment that provides a hundredfold return and is guaranteed by God! In summary, although it is important to save and invest in providing for future family needs, always make investing in God’s work a priority, as it will produce eternal benefits! Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

In Ecclesiastes 11:1–6, God recommends the assumption of a reasonable amount of risk within your investment portfolio. Assess your Tolerance for Risk and Invest Accordingly Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 In Ecclesiastes 11:1–6, God recommends the assumption of a reasonable amount of risk within your investment portfolio. “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again” was a metaphorical expression used in the grain trade that illustrated the potential successful prospects of a business investment. God instructs the farmer, who is also an investor, to “sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” In addition, over-cautiousness is discouraged——“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” In Proverbs 31:10–31 the “wife of noble character” is involved in several equity-type investments. For example, in verse 16, “she considers the field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.” There are many other examples of investors in the Bible, such as the servants in the parable of the talents (Mathew 25) and Solomon and Job. In short, it is biblical to assume some investment risk. However, God demonstrates how to minimize your risk by diversifying your investments into seven or eight different categories, because you do not know what disaster may come upon any particular company or sector of the market (Ecclesiastes 11:2.) See my two financial moments on biblical diversification for further details. On “a macro basis,” the risk of any portfolio is generally reflected by its allocation between equities and safe investments such as Canada bonds/GICs, etc. The appropriate amount of investment risk that a Christian should assume will depend upon numerous factors, such as your age, when you will need the money, and your tolerance for risk. Assessing your tolerance for risk can be difficult. Generally, it is necessary to experience some good and bad markets before you will really understand your own personal risk tolerance. Certainly, if your present portfolio allocation is too volatile (i.e., the fluctuations cause you to be anxious) then reduce equities and increase short-term government of Canada bonds. In his book, Sound Mind Investing, Austin Pryor has an excellent questionnaire that can help you assess your tolerance for risk. (See soundmindinvesting.com.) Based on God’s investment principles, it is not appropriate for a Christian to be overly cautious (which may reflect a mindset of fear); nor is it appropriate for a Christian to be too aggressive (which often reflects an attitude of greed). Both extremes are outside of God’s will. Under normal market and economic conditions, generally, a conservative investor should have at least 20 percent in equities, while an investor with a high tolerance for risk, should not go beyond 80 percent. The average person may feel comfortable with an allocation of approximately 50% in equities. The types of equity investments within your portfolio (i.e., “blue-chip stocks” as opposed to “speculative stocks”) will also affect the level of risk you are assuming. In all cases, I strongly recommend that no debt be used for investments because God’s Word strongly discourages the use of debt (Proverbs 22:7). In summary, depending on God’s wisdom (James 1:5), assess your tolerance for risk and invest the money that God has entrusted to you [1 Corinthians 4: 2], according to his principles [Psalms 119:24] and his specific will [Psalms 25:12]. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More