You handled yourself with sincerity, godliness, compassion, and excellence. Our listeners obviously felt very comfortable talking to you. We couldn’t take all of the calls. That’s a nice “problem” to have! Tom, I know God is using you in a big way. There is no better way to live! Looking forward to having you back with us. Back to Testimonials There is no better way to live! You handled yourself with sincerity, godliness, compassion, and excellence. Our listeners obviously felt very comfortable talking to you. We couldn’t take all of the calls. That’s a nice “problem” to have! Tom, I know God is using you in a big way. There is no better way to live! Looking forward to having you back with us. K.G. (Professional Radio Host) Previous Next

In Genesis 41, God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream where God warned that there would be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine. Back to The Joseph Principle The Joseph Principle By: Henry Enriquez September 3, 2020 In Genesis 41, God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream where God warned that there would be 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine. God instructed Joseph to help the people prepare by saving 20% of their grains etc. during the 7 years of plenty, so they would have sufficient food during the 7 years of famine. Some people call this “The Joseph Principle” which is a biblical principle that should be followed by everyone including individuals, corporations and governments. In James 4:13-16, we are warned not to presume on the future, which most people have done by spending all of their income and not saving for future needs. In reality, most people will experience a “famine” of some kind, such as a job loss, illness, etc. the results in the loss of income. In summary, save money on a regular basis so that you have a cushion of cash [Proverbs 21:20] to fall back on for when you encounter difficult times. More Topics Debt Principles Read More Financial Deceptions Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More

I began seriously studying God's Word on finances around 2008 when going through a Sunday School seminar on Debt Reduction God's Way led by Tom Copland (shortly after he had joined our church in Ajax). Back to Testimonials I have come to realize that Biblical stewardship is not an area that can be faked. I began seriously studying God's Word on finances around 2008 when going through a Sunday School seminar on Debt Reduction God's Way led by Tom Copland (shortly after he had joined our church in Ajax). This seminar not only opened my eyes to the dangers of debt, but prompted me to participate in several other similar seminars over the coming years, with the focus on Financial Management God's Way. I am thankful for this material that has helped me appreciate that the Lord is deeply interested in how I use the money and material things He has entrusted me with, and to that end, I have come to realize that Biblical stewardship is not an area that can be faked. I am also thankful for the many opportunities Tom has presented me with to lead others in this area, which the Lord has used to continue to show me that in order to maximize my spiritual impact as a Biblical steward, contrary to conventional 'worldly wisdom', the Lord's wisdom is that borrowing is generally discouraged and giving is generally encouraged. After many years of study and resolve to follow God's Word, I am thankful to have been able to persevere by avoiding many financial temptations, and as a result now am totally debt-free. I would recommend following Tom Copland's material on managing money God's way for anyone who is looking to do the same. E.L Ontario, Canada Previous Next

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

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

Prayer and dependence upon God are required in order to develop a personalized and biblically-based investment strategy. It is well known that the past performance of investment provides no guarantee for its future performance. First, Pray and Depend on God for His Wisdom & Direction Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 Prayer and dependence upon God are required in order to develop a personalized and biblically-based investment strategy. It is well known that the past performance of investment provides no guarantee for its future performance. The best investment today depends on future events, and since no one can consistently predict the direction of any market, it is critical to acknowledge our dependence upon God for his wisdom and his direction in respect of investing. 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) Notwithstanding all the information available today, only about 15 percent of all professional money managers beat the relevant index (e.g., TSX 60 or S&P 500), and no one can consistently predict the future value of these indices. The same principle applies to real estate. For example, from 1985 until 1989, the value of Toronto real estate increased significantly. Many believed that it would never go down. However, from 1990 until 1995, the values dropped drastically anywhere from 25 percent to 70 percent. From a human perspective, this does not make sense, but God is not surprised. Proverbs 27:1 states, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” The good news is that our all-knowing God does know the future (Isaiah 46: 9,10), and he is willing to provide us with the wisdom that we need in investing if we ask in faith. James 1:5 states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” God has provided us with numerous investment principles/guidelines in his Word, the Bible. Biblical diversification (Ecclesiastes 11:1, 2) and minimal debt (Proverbs 22:7) are two examples. Please see my nine other Financial Moments regarding investing. In addition, I recommend Austin Pryor’s book Sound Mind Investing, available at soundmindinvesting.com. God will provide specific direction in respect of your investments. Psalms 32:8 states, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” About three or four times per year, in dependence upon God, I spend significant time in prayer seeking God’s direction to review and adjust my investment strategy. By meditating on God’s Word and listening to God’s “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:11), I find God’s will in respect of the investments he has entrusted to me. This brings God’s peace and good investment returns. I encourage you to do the same and document what you believe God is telling you. But take note that if it is in any way contrary to God’s principles, then you have not heard from the Lord. Never forget that God is in control, and all riches come from him. 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 honor come from you alone, and you are the Ruler of all mankind. (1 Chronicles 29:11, 12 TLB) In summary, it is critical to pray and depend on God for his wisdom and his direction in 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

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

For someone who had had so much Kingdom impact and so much success you radiate the presence of God in your approachability... humility and it is a powerful gift. God richly bless you and your family Brother Copland. Back to Testimonials God richly bless you and your family Brother Copland For someone who had had so much Kingdom impact and so much success you radiate the presence of God in your approachability... humility and it is a powerful gift. God richly bless you and your family Brother Copland. K. J. P. Kitchener, Canada Previous Next

Thank you for your plentiful Bible-based financial information that you so freely make available and for your assistance to your brothers and sisters in Christ. May He richly bless you and your loved ones. Back to Testimonials Plentiful Bible-based financial information Thank you for your plentiful Bible-based financial information that you so freely make available and for your assistance to your brothers and sisters in Christ. May He richly bless you and your loved ones. A.H. Toronto, ON Previous Next

Over the past 28 years, I have met many investment advisers who have instructed their clients to use debt in order to increase their investment returns. Use Minimal Debt - Or Better, No Debt Back to Investing By: Tom Copland October 19, 2021 Over the past 28 years, I have met many investment advisers who have instructed their clients to use debt in order to increase their investment returns. When the market goes up, additional returns can be obtained through the use of debt. However, when the market goes down, the results can be disastrous. I remember one woman who borrowed against her home and invested in mutual funds only to discover four years later that the funds had decreased in value by 50 percent. Being upset with what occurred, she immediately sold her investments and paid off as much of the loan as she could. Several years later, she is still servicing the remaining debt. The deception from the world is that “smart people use other people’s money.” This is contrary to God’s Word. Every reference in scripture to borrowing is negative, and nowhere in the Bible does God ever direct anyone to borrow money in order for God to bless. Our all-powerful God is able to meet every need without the assistance of the bank. Philippians 4:19 states, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” It is not a sin to borrow money, but it is a sin to borrow and not repay. Psalms 37:21 states, “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” The implication is that the righteous person not only repays all debts but goes “the second mile” and gives generously. Experience has shown that people who use a lot of debt when investing will generally encounter one of the following problems: 1. When the markets are down, borrowers are forced by the lender to sell at the wrong time. In Proverbs 22:7b, God warns that “the borrower is a servant to the lender.” 2. Psychologically and emotionally, it is much more difficult to survive a “bear market,” because debt increases the volatility of your portfolio. For example, if you borrow 50 percent of what you invest, and if the market decreases 20 percent in value, then the loss of your personal capital is 40 percent. 3. If the investment decreases significantly in value, you can lose more than your original capital and end up with a deficit that may take years to repay. In Deuteronomy 28, God promised the people of Israel that, if they fully obeyed him, he would bless them so much that they be would lenders and not borrowers. In other words, God can bless your investments without the use of debt. I have seen more than 100 individual cases in which God has done this. Before you borrow to invest, be sure to ask God to reveal your motives. Frequently, people use debt in order to “get rich quick” because of covetousness or greed—both of which are contrary to God’s Word. On the other hand, saving and investing carefully over a long period of time, with the objective of meeting future needs, is a very biblical attitude. Proverbs 13:11 states, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (emphasis added). Saving and investing to provide for future needs is biblical. However, God strongly discourages the use of debt. I recommend that you save and invest whatever funds God has provided, and trust God to meet your needs, which he has promised as you put him first. (See Matthew 6:31–33.) Previous Article Next Article More Topics Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More Priorities Read More Counsel & Wisdom 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

People are still commenting about the significant blessing your seminar series “Handling Money God’s Way” was. We had over 200 individuals sign up for this – and about one-third of those were from outside our church – praise God!! In one session, you shared how to have a personal relationship with Christ and we offered new testaments to anyone who wanted one, and over 30 people took one. Back to Testimonials God's Word on finances more effectively People are still commenting about the significant blessing your seminar series “Handling Money God’s Way” was. We had over 200 individuals sign up for this – and about one-third of those were from outside our church – praise God!! In one session, you shared how to have a personal relationship with Christ and we offered new testaments to anyone who wanted one, and over 30 people took one. I have been using your resources with couples who ask me to marry them….This has been such a blessing to know that couples are being prepared for marriage in such a biblical and practical way. Tom, we are very grateful for the way you have served, by equipping, that is enabling us to teach God’s Word on finances more effectively. Anonymous Previous Next