Over the past 28 years, I have had the privilege of working with 300 to 400 business people. In my experience, generally when they invest in something that they understand, and within biblical principles, they earn a profit. However, when they invest in something that they don’t understand, frequently they lose money. Ensure that you Understand the Investment Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 Over the past 28 years, I have had the privilege of working with 300 to 400 business people. In my experience, generally when they invest in something that they understand, and within biblical principles, they earn a profit. However, when they invest in something that they don’t understand, frequently they lose money. God warns us of this in Proverbs 19:2: “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.” As applied to investing, this proverb warns us that it is not good to be excited about a particular investment without having a thorough knowledge and understanding of it. If you have been asked to commit to an investment without having sufficient time to obtain an understanding of it and to pray about it, then I strongly recommend that you not invest. Whether you plan to build a house, an investment portfolio, or a retirement fund, God’s Word emphasizes the importance of understanding, wisdom, and knowledge. By wisdom, a house is built, and through understanding, it is established; through knowledge, its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3, 4) In my view, the level of knowledge that you need to obtain before acquiring a particular investment is to understand the nature of the investment, what has to occur for the investment to be profitable, and what could occur that would make the investment a loser. Historical returns and historical volatility are helpful. However, they provide no guarantee of future returns. For example, in regard to a mutual fund, you need to understand the objective of the fund, the track record of the fund manager, and have knowledge and understanding of the 10 largest holdings within that fund. Knowledge and understanding of the markets in general as well as the economy, on a “macro basis,” is important as well. Generally speaking, the more you understand about a particular investment and the more experience that you have, the better. However, remember that on average only about 15 percent of all professional money managers beat the relevant index, notwithstanding their extensive knowledge of the stocks in their portfolio. The truth is, the best investment today depends on what happens in the future. Since no human can consistently predict the direction of any stock or any market (James 4:13–15), it is critical to rely on God, who is the key source of wisdom and understanding. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have a good understanding. (Psalm 111:10) In other words, as you consider a particular investment and develop your investment strategy, you must “follow God’s precepts,” which requires that you understand and apply God’s investment principles. Clearly, if you do not understand God’s investment principles, you won’t apply them. Secondly, you need to acknowledge that only God knows the future (Isaiah 46:9, 10), and therefore only God knows which investments will do well. Therefore, in prayer, ask God to direct you according to his will. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NKJV) Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom Read More

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

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Many people believe it is good to try to get rich quickly. Some of the common methods utilized to obtain “Financial Freedom” are as follows: Back to Financial Deceptions You Should Try to Obtain Financial Freedom (ASAP) By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 Many people believe it is good to try to get rich quickly. Some of the common methods utilized to obtain “Financial Freedom” are as follows: 1. lottery tickets—sometimes promoted as “Imagine the freedom” 2. aggressive investing—usually with a lot of debt 3. excessive hard work, which is out of balance God’s directive is different. The emphasis in Scripture is to plan and save for future needs slowly over a period of time. “Steady plotting brings prosperity, hasty speculation brings poverty” (Proverbs 21:20 TLB) “He who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (Proverbs 13:11 NIV). “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5) Over the past 30 years, I’ve seen many cases in which people who wanted to get rich quickly ended up losing everything. God warns that hasty decisions frequently lead to poverty. In my experience, individuals who have accumulated significant wealth—and retained it—have done so over many years (20 years or longer). At the time the Book of Proverbs was written, most people made their living off the land as farmers. God provides the following admonition: He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28:19, 20 ) In short, God is saying that you should focus on earning your income from your occupation or business. When people invest or get involved in areas that they don’t understand, generally they lose money. (See Proverbs 19:2.) God warns of the dangers of trying to get rich: 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 Apostle Paul also outlined significant “spiritual risks” of trying to get rich: People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) In summary, the emphasis in scripture is to plan and save for needs over a period of time, without the attitude of trying to get rich quickly. God has promised that if we put him first, then he will meet our needs (Matthew 6:31–33). Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More

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

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

Discover how God is Blessing! with cfm services. Explore financial management God's way through cfm services and support our growing ministry. God is Bless ing! An update on how God is spreading His Word on finances Media Reach Radio The Financial Moments are on 155 radio facilities across Canada and northern United States. Tom's half-hour shows are on 15 radio stations across Canada, including WDCX radio in Buffalo. Praise God! TV Tom's half-hour programs and Financial Moments continue to be aired on Miracle Channel (Western Canada), Yes TV (Ontario, Calgary, and Edmonton), Vision TV (nationwide), Faith TV (based in Winnipeg), and Joy TV (based in Vancouver). Reach Between the financial moments and the one half hour radio and TV shows, we are reaching between 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 people every week. That's the hand of the Lord! Financial Management God's Way Courses Although COVID 19 has created a number of challenges, it has also resulted in opportunities. For example, Tom led an 11-week webinar titled "Financial Management God's Way for Singles". We averaged between 75 and 100 people on each session, and the attendees were from coast-to-coast in Canada and some from the United States. Financial Ministry is growing Tom I'm 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 my life, I really believe that. I also developed a new money mindset. I am learning to walk in God's ways of managing money. J.C. Waterloo, ON, Canada I wish I had learned these principles sooner My knowledge and understanding of God's financial principles has profoundly changed. The bible is a wealth of information on how we should wisely think and then manage our finances. I have been so culturally accustomed to secular thinking about finances that I was not even aware of the detrimental impact that it had on my relationship with God. My involvement in this study has benefitted my personal relationship with God. As mentioned in the workshop by Tom, 'if our hearts are dominated by money and related problems, how can we love God with all our heart?' I wish I had learned these principles sooner. I would encourage everyone to take this workshop. L.G. Toronto, ON, Canada Thank you for sharing your testimony Thank you Tom. The teaching session was really helpful and thank you for sharing your testimony. I really needed to hear many the things that were being taught and discussed. You're a great example of faithfulness to the Lord. R.S. Prince George, BC, Canada Biblical-Based Financial Counseling Between Tom and his small group leaders/financial coaches, we provided biblically-based financial advice on a ministry basis at no charge to over 1,000 people during the last year (that's up from 750 last year). Tom's New Book! God enabled Tom to write a new book. It's titled "Financial Moments: Biblical Principles That Will Transform How You Manage Money". Castle Quay is the publisher, and the book will be distributed to Canada & United States – 17 countries in total! If you are interested in a physical copy of this book, you can purchase it here . Half-Hour Programs We recorded several new half-hour radio and TV programs including: "The Dangers of Cosigning", "Management of Money Impacts Relationship with Spouse", and "Investing God's Way" along with numerous new Financial Moments. We continue with the half-hour TV shows on Vision TV (nationwide), Joy TV (based in Vancouver. BC), and Faith TV (based in Winnipeg. MB) as well as the half-hour shows on WDCX Radio (Buffalo/Toronto, ON), half-hour shows on Faith FM radio stations in London, Kitchener and Woodstock and 10 radio stations in Eastern Canada, as well as Focus on the Family on Wednesdays and weekends praise God! This year, God opened the door for the half-hour shows to go on YES TV Ontario, Calgary and Edmonton as well as Miracle Channel in Western Canada, thus reaching thousands of people in Western Canada. Consider Giving to Copland Financial Ministries As usual, Tom receives no remuneration whatsoever, and almost all the people involved in the ministry are volunteers, however, there are significant radio and TV costs, and so we would encourage you to prayerfully consider giving to this ministry. Of interest, we have a donor who will match all donations, so when you give your funds, they are immediately doubled. If you can, automatic monthly donations are best as it allows us to predict our cash flow better or if you prefer to do a one-time donation, all donations are appreciated. To give, go to our website or send a check to: Copland Financial Ministries 325 Renfrew Drive, Suite 301 Markham, ON L3R 9S8 Canada If you have questions, send an email to tcopland@zing-net.ca . We are registered with Canada Revenue Agency and will issue donation receipts. In Matthew 16:27, Jesus said, "For when the Son of Man returns in his father's glory with his Angels, he will reward each person according to what they have done". Thank you for your prayers and financial support! Copland Financial Ministries

Regardless of how difficult your financial problems are, it’s important to remember that God is in control. He is the all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere present God. Back to Freedom from Financial Anxiety God is in Control By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 Regardless of how difficult your financial problems are, it’s important to remember that God is in control. He is the all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere present God. After God miraculously provided all the materials and labor that were needed to build the temple, David acknowledged God’s sovereignty and power by praising God as follows: 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 that might and it is at your discretion that men are making great and given strength. (1 Chron. 29: 11, 12 TLB) Even if you find that the financial pressures are overwhelming and you are “at the end of your rope,” God is still in control: “The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all” (Ps. 103:19 NASB). God is aware of your financial problems as he watches over you: “The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy” (Ps. 145:20). God is aware of every detail of your financial problems (Ps. 139:1–4 ). Although God did not cause your financial problems, he has allowed them to occur in your life. He has a purpose for any trials that his children encounter. Perhaps you have unknowingly violated one or more of his principles, in which case the purpose would be to teach you something. Or perhaps your financial problems may simply be the result of God “pruning” you with the objective of you “bearing more spiritual fruit”(John 15:2). Either way, God is still in control. In Isaiah 46:9–11 God says, 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. Because God is in control, we need to trust him completely and depend solely upon him for the direction and strength that we need in dealing with all of our financial problems. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Co-Signing/Surety Read More Investing Read More Priorities 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

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

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

For example, statistics reveal that 80 percent to 90 percent of the people in North America live “paycheck to paycheck”—that is, they spend all their regular income and have no savings. Many people believe this is okay. Back to Financial Deceptions Living Paycheck to Paycheck is Okay By: Tom Copland June 14, 2020 For example, statistics reveal that 80 percent to 90 percent of the people in North America live “paycheck to paycheck”—that is, they spend all their regular income and have no savings. Many people believe this is okay. However, God says it is foolish: “The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets” (Proverbs 21:20 TLB). Unfortunately, most people fall into the foolish category as they do not regularly save for things such as 1. anticipated non-monthly expenses (e.g., property taxes, annual insurance premiums) 2. normal unexpected expenditures (e.g., automobile repairs, home repairs) 3. a significant reduction in the family’s income (e.g., one spouse out of work) In my experience, a “cushion” in your savings account of four to eight months’ worth of expenses is reasonable and prudent. God’s Word is clear that a wise man saves for the future. In his example of building a tower (Luke 14:28–30), Jesus clearly communicated that if you don’t plan for future expenses, you are foolish. Saving for the future would include setting aside sufficient funds on a monthly basis to provide for non-monthly expenses. For example, if your family’s annual vacation costs $1800, then God’s principles would suggest that you save $150 per month throughout the year so that you have sufficient funds to pay for your vacation and avoid unnecessary debt. Some non-monthly expenses, such as automobile repairs, will have to be estimated. Although these estimates will not be perfect, generally it is possible over the year to anticipate and regularly save to cover most, if not all, of your automobile maintenance. On a longer-term basis, God’s principles would encourage saving for future needs such as retirement and your children’s education. In my experience, most parents don’t save for education until about one year before a child starts attending college or university. Generally, I recommend that parents start saving for education shortly after the child is born. For example, $100 per month invested at 7 percent will accumulate to a total of more than $43,000 within 18 years. In summary, living paycheque to paycheque is not consistent with God’s Word. God’s Word is clear that we should plan ahead and save for future needs. To accomplish this practically, it will be necessary to develop and implement a budget. An Excel-based budgeting system is available at no cost from my firm on the Budgeting page. Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More