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Recently a group of pastors were discussing that their churches were falling behind in their giving and having trouble meeting budgets. I was reluctant to share, less it appears to be bragging, that our church was in fact ahead in this year’s budget and we enjoyed a sizeable surplus. Upon reflection, I concluded that one of the reasons for the excellent response was because we have been scheduling some classes and seminars on personal finances and debt reduction/elimination. Back to Testimonials Daily living for God Recently a group of pastors were discussing that their churches were falling behind in their giving and having trouble meeting budgets. I was reluctant to share, less it appears to be bragging, that our church was in fact ahead in this year’s budget and we enjoyed a sizeable surplus. Upon reflection, I concluded that one of the reasons for the excellent response was because we have been scheduling some classes and seminars on personal finances and debt reduction/elimination. One of the reasons people fail to give what they should is because they are carrying a debt load. I am finding that in addition to giving challenges, debt is placing tremendous stress on marriages and affecting people’s emotional and physical health. Recently, one of the men who was baptized in our church testified to the fact that it was through the financial teaching in our church that he got his spiritual priorities straightened out and realized what that meant for his daily living for God. Anonymous Previous Next

Many people believe that financial freedom will be obtained only when they have lots of money and material things. This is a deception from the world. God warns us: “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Back to Financial Deceptions Financial Freedom is Attained by Having Lots of Money By: Tom Copland June 15, 2020 Many people believe that financial freedom will be obtained only when they have lots of money and material things. This is a deception from the world. God warns us: “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Over the past 30 years, I have seen many wealthy people who have no peace in the area of finances. They are not “financially free.” They are stressed out by money-related problems, such as, Where should I invest my money? or, What if I lose my money? Sometimes they are workaholics with an unquenchable desire to accumulate more and more. Worry and anxiety dominate their minds in regard to money-related issues. True financial freedom comes only from having God’s peace and joy in the area of finances. To obtain God’s peace and joy in respect of finances, I believe that the following steps would be appropriate: 1. Believe that it is God’s truth that will set you free from the deceptions of this world. “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:31, 32, emphasis added). 2. Recognize God’s truth that we are stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Our responsibility is to apply God’s financial principles and do God’s will. God’s promise is that if we put him first, he will meet our needs (Matthew 6:31–33). Once you have fulfilled your responsibility, you can “cast your cares on the Lord” (Psalm 55:22) and trust God to meet your needs. This should enable you to enjoy God’s peace. 3. With God’s help, learn to be content with God’s provision. The apostle Paul said, I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11–13, emphasis added) 4. Acknowledge that the accumulation of money and material things are temporary and not of any eternal value. (See Matthew 6:19–21.) In short, from an eternal perspective, God’s truth is that a selfish desire to become wealthy has no value. 5. Experience the joy of giving. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Giving with a cheerful heart and out of your love for God enables you to be free from the love of money and to experience the joy of giving. In summary, one of the deceptions of this world is that financial freedom comes from having lots of money and material things. True financial freedom comes only from having God’s peace, joy, and contentment in the area of finances. Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More

I learn so much from your teachings. How you know the scriptures and how you apply them to our finances and to our daily living. Thank you so much. I appreciate all you knowledge that you share. Back to Testimonials Thank you so much. I appreciate all you knowledge that you share. I learn so much from your teachings. How you know the scriptures and how you apply them to our finances and to our daily living. Thank you so much. I appreciate all you knowledge that you share. Susan C Facebook follower Previous Next

Discover TV Shows 28-Minute Shows that teach financial wisdom. Explore TV Shows 28-Minute Shows for insights on handling money God's way. TV Shows Tom's 28-minute videos Handling Money God's Way A featured series for individuals and families Session: 1 Stewardship Stewardship is acknowledging in your heart and mind that God owns everything Session: 2 God's Wisdom on Debt and Saving God warns of the dangers of debt and God admonishes us to save for future needs Session: 3 Steps to Get Out of Debt Obtain a practical understanding of how to reduce your debt, with the long-term objective of becoming totally debt-free Session: 4 Budgeting Includes biblical principles of investing Session: 5 Financial Deceptions Beliefs that appear to be correct but are contrary to God’s principles and often tempt people to get into debt. Session: 6 Godly Attitude Toward Money Question: Can money in and of itself, be corrupt or evil? $ Handling Money God' Way 28-Minute Shows God’s Financial Wisdom For Government Leaders and Voters Government leaders need to learn and apply biblical principles in managing government finances Managing Money During Difficult Times When people are in a state of fear or anxiety about their finances, they will often make hasty decisions. Management of Money Impacts Relationship with Spouse Most people buy things they don't need, accumulate debt, and eventually suffer the consequence. Advanced Biblically-Based Estate Planning God's Word, the Bible, has phenomenal wisdom on finances. God's Financial Wisdom for Young People Unfortunately, many Christians do not pray and wait for God's provision. In a sense, they don't even give God a chance to provide. Discerning God's Will in Managing Money An overview of the Bible's financial guidelines so you can really discern what God wants you to do. God's Financial Wisdom for Business This series is appropriate for business owners and managers. Applicable to anyone who makes important financial decisions for a business. Dealing with Inflation and High Interest Rates from a Biblical Perspectives The objective here is to determine whether you have a surplus or deficit in your monthly cash flow. God's Financial Wisdom for churches and Church Leaders You've been faithful with a few things. I'll. I'll trust you, with you, with many things. Management of Money Impacts Eternity Does how you manage money here on earth impact eternity in any significant way? Questions to Consider Before Borrowing It is not a sin to borrow money, but it is a sin to borrow without repaying. This series takes you through important things to consider before deciding to borrow money. Investing God's Way The Bible provides 12 principles related to investing. This 3-session series teaches you how to fulfill your stewardship responsibilities by way of investing the money God has entrusted to you. The Dangers of Co-signing The biblical perspective is to have minimal debt or no debt. And the Bible warns of the dangers of cosign doesn't say you can't co-sign, but it warns of the dangers. The worldly perspective is to use debt freely, which results result in lots of debt and the world's perspective. Obtaining Godly Counsel Too often we believe that we have to figure things out on our own, but this is not God’s will. God wants us to seek his counsel on any important decision. Secular Perspective vs Biblical Perspective Session 1 Overview A person with a biblical perspective will be called a biblical steward Featured Series 28-Minute Videos

My husband and I have greatly benefited from the Debt Reduction CDs and DVDs for Businesses and Individuals. We thank you for your ministry and the impact it has had on our lives, our family, and people around us. We would like to make monthly donations to Copland Financial Ministries. Back to Testimonials We thank you for your ministry My husband and I have greatly benefited from the Debt Reduction CDs and DVDs for Businesses and Individuals. We thank you for your ministry and the impact it has had on our lives, our family, and people around us. We would like to make monthly donations to Copland Financial Ministries. Anonymous Previous Next

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

Where do I begin? The Lord our God, my Heavenly Father, brought me to Copland Financial Ministries. I have been both convicted and encouraged. Since taking Financial Management God’s Way for Singles, I have made two or three major financial decisions that I believe please God. Knowing and understanding and then implementing the Word of God in my finances are a great blessing bringing peace and joy. Back to Testimonials The expressions of my gratitude are many Where do I begin? The Lord our God, my Heavenly Father, brought me to Copland Financial Ministries. I have been both convicted and encouraged. Since taking Financial Management God’s Way for Singles, I have made two or three major financial decisions that I believe please God. Knowing and understanding and then implementing the Word of God in my finances are a great blessing bringing peace and joy. I have begun budgeting using the excel budget spreadsheet from the ministry. I have also decided to pay my debts in full by the grace of God. I have corresponded with Tom via email to ask specific financial questions. He has been used by God to help me make the wise decision to forego a “shark-like” high-interest charge. Tom also let me know that my credit card is not for everyday use and that the balance ought to be paid in full each month. The expressions of my gratitude are many. God reveals His love for me in countless ways, and I know this is one of them. Over the years, I have experienced pain because of the management of my finances. I thank God abundantly for His care to help me learn, grow, and mature in specific matters of my finances. Thank you so very much to Tom for his leadership and heart to see people managing their finances God’s way. Far more than the value of any currency is the wealth of life, peace, and gratitude that springs from following and obeying God. I love pleasing Jesus, and although I do fall short, He encourages me forward. The Lord Himself is my strength and help. N.F. Brampton, ON, Canada Previous Next

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 15, 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

I just wanted to tell you what a blessing you have been in my life. You have taught me to study scripture, always ensuring that my thoughts match scripture. As people, we are prone to seek an answer to match our opinion as opposed to finding out what scripture has to say first. Ever since taking Financial Management I have tried to make sure that I have scripture backing before I make an opinion on a matter. It has changed many relationships for the better. Thank you! Back to Testimonials You are a blessing I just wanted to tell you what a blessing you have been in my life. You have taught me to study scripture, always ensuring that my thoughts match scripture. As people, we are prone to seek an answer to match our opinion as opposed to finding out what scripture has to say first. Ever since taking Financial Management I have tried to make sure that I have scripture backing before I make an opinion on a matter. It has changed many relationships for the better. Thank you! L.S. ON, Canada Previous Next

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

Thanks so much for the opportunity to take Financial Management God's Way. Blessings to Tom and his team. Back to Testimonials Zoom Small group Participant Testimony I'm constantly amazed that this excellent course, Financial Management God's Way, is offered free of charge. The leaders are experienced, knowledgeable and very open and easy to talk to. The book is user-friendly and overflowing with God's word and how it relates to everyday life. Just the understanding that God owns everything and we are His caretakers is mind-changing. I encourage everyone - young and old - to take this course. I wish I had learned these practical financial principles when I was younger. It would have helped me be better prepared for my senior years and left me in a much better position, both financially and in my relationship with God. Thanks so much for the opportunity to take Financial Management God's Way. Blessings to Tom and his team. JG Kemptville, Ontario Canada 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.” Back to Counsel & Wisdom From Godly Financial Advisers By: Tom Copland June 15, 2020 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.” Unfortunately, sometimes Christians refuse to seek counsel because of pride. Proverbs 13:10 states, “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 11:2 states, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Nevertheless, God indicates that your probability of success is greater with many advisers. Proverbs 24:6 states, “For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.” God recommends that we obtain biblical counsel from godly financial advisers. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment. (1 Corinthians 2:14, 15) Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. (Psalm 1:1) I have met some non-Christian financial advisers who do give good practical advice. However, if you want advice from a biblical perspective, which I believe is God’s will for every Christian, then you can get godly advice only from a godly financial adviser. For example, a nonbeliever is simply not going to understand the desire in the believer’s heart for giving a significant portion of one’s income to God’s work. The believer has an eternal perspective, wanting to build up “treasures in heaven” rather than “treasures on earth.” (Matthew 6:19–21) In addition, a godly adviser would counsel you to use minimal debt (Proverbs 22:7), while many worldly advisers would encourage the use of a lot of debt, based on the belief that “smart people use other people’s money” or “buy now and pay later.” Therefore, before making any major financial decision, I recommend that you seek the advice of two or three godly financial 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 financial principles (Psalm 111:10), has a close personal relationship with God (John 15), has the necessary practical financial knowledge (Proverbs 24:3, 4), and habitually puts the interests of clients first (Philippians 2:3, 4). I believe that one of your financial counsellors should be your spouse (Genesis 2:24), even if she or he has limited financial 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 financial decision. 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 the advice you have received. Proverbs 14:15 states, “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” In summary, before making any major financial decision, seek counsel from two or three godly financial advisers and from your spouse. Proceed only after you and your spouse have spent considerable time in prayer, and God has given you his peace and his wisdom. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Priorities Read More Stewardship Principle Read More Debt Principles Read More