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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 15, 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

It is a common saying that you can determine an individual’s true priorities by reviewing how she or he spends time and money. Although people may say that their relationships with God and their families are of greatest importance to them, sometimes their Day-Timer or checkbook indicates otherwise. Back to Priorities A Spiritual Barometer By: Tom Copland June 13, 2020 It is a common saying that you can determine an individual’s true priorities by reviewing how she or he spends time and money. Although people may say that their relationships with God and their families are of greatest importance to them, sometimes their Day-Timer or checkbook indicates otherwise. I believe that how an individual handles money is an external visible indicator of an internal spiritual condition. As a practical matter, I believe that answering the following questions can help you determine where you are at spiritually in regard to your finances. 1. Do you give “the first fruits” to God’s work, or does God get the leftovers? Proverbs 3:9, 10 states, “Honor 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.” The guideline in scripture is to give at least 10 percent of your income to God’s work. 2. Do you borrow money without consulting God? God warns that those who borrow money may become a servant to the lender: “The borrower is a servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). 3. Do you feel envious or jealous of what other people have materially? Exodus 20:17 warns against this. 4. When you have a material need or want, do you pray and wait patiently for God to provide in a manner that is glorifying to Him? Psalm 37:7 states, “ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” 5. Have you developed and implemented a budget? A budget is simply a tool used for financial planning. In his illustration of building a tower (Luke 14:28–30), Jesus makes it clear that if we don’t plan ahead, we are foolish. 6. Are you content with God’s provision, or do you constantly want more? “But godliness with contentment is great gain... But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6, 8) 7. Do you spend quality time with God in prayer and reading God’s Word before you make any major financial decision? God has promised that he will direct us: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you” (Psalm 32:8). May I encourage you to spend some quality time in prayer with God right now and ask him to reveal any areas of your life that God would like you to change in regard to your finances. Previous Article Next Article More Topics Investing Counsel & Wisdom Stewardship Principle Read More Read More Read More

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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

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 15, 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

Several years ago, I counselled an individual who had accumulated significant debt on his credit cards. To lower his interest costs and to be able to make appropriate repayments, it made sense to restructure his debt. Back to Financial Deceptions Debt Restructuring Will Solve Your Financial Problems By: Tom Copland June 15, 2020 Several years ago, I counselled an individual who had accumulated significant debt on his credit cards. To lower his interest costs and to be able to make appropriate repayments, it made sense to restructure his debt. He obtained a line of credit from his bank at a much lower interest rate and used those funds to pay off his credit cards. At the same time, I emphasized to him that restructuring his debt was treating the symptom and not the problem. The real problem was that he and his wife were spending more than they were earning, and they had been doing this for a couple of years. I strongly recommended that they develop and implement a budget with the objective of ensuring that they spend less than they earn on a monthly basis so that they can use the surplus to pay down debt. Unfortunately, they did not do so, and within three years they had accumulated new credit card debts. Since his bank line of credit had been fully utilized, it was necessary to take out a second mortgage on his home to pay off the new debt. Again, I emphasized the importance of spending less than their income. About four years later, he came to me again with the same problem. With all sources of credit maximized, it was necessary to withdraw money from the couple’s RRSPs to pay off the high-interest credit card debt and satisfy the credit card companies. This resulted in two new problems: first, a tax liability because of the RRSP withdrawals and second, a significant concern that they would not have sufficient funds for retirement. At this point, you may well think that this individual cannot be very astute financially. Actually, the reverse is true. He is a chartered accountant who understood and agreed with the advice. However, because he and his wife were not prepared to make the necessary sacrifices to reduce their personal spending, today they are reaping the negative consequences. Sometimes the root of financial problems goes beyond the financial sphere and into the spiritual. Some spiritual problems that can give rise to financial problems include covetousness, lack of contentment, greed, selfishness, and pride. These mindsets are clearly contrary to God’s Word. Often it is necessary for a Christian to meditate on God’s Word with regard to finances in order to think differently about money and material things. Romans 12:2 states, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In summary, if you are in debt, may I encourage you to do two things: 1. Develop and implement a budget to ensure that you are spending less than you are earning, and use the surplus to pay off your debts. For a free copy of my firm’s Excel-based budgeting template, see the Budgeting page. 2. Study and meditate on God’s Word regularly with regard to finances. Previous Article Next Article More Topics The Joseph Principle Read More Co-Signing/Surety Read More Freedom from Financial Anxiety Read More

I Attended the Zoom Webinar - Managing Money During Covid-19. It was excellent! I would be interested in attending more virtual workshops when they are available. Thank you for this ministry! Back to Testimonials Thank you for your ministry I Attended the Zoom Webinar - Managing Money During Covid-19. It was excellent! I would be interested in attending more virtual workshops when they are available. Thank you for this ministry! L.S. ON, Canada Previous Next

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Discover the Copland Budgeting System for proper budgeting. Enhance your financial skills with our Copland Excel Budget Template today! Copland Budgeting System Copland Excel Budget Template Excel Budget Template Written Explanation about Copland Budgeting System (PDF) How to Use the Copland Excel Budget Template How to Use the Copland Excel Budgeting System Template Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search videos Search video... Now Playing Overview 01:55 Play Video Now Playing CFM- Budgeting System-Form 1- Assets and Liabilities 03:15 Play Video Now Playing Form 2 01:07 Play Video Now Playing Form 3 03:49 Play Video Now Playing Form 4 03:05 Play Video Now Playing Form 5 04:18 Play Video Now Playing Form 6 08:11 Play Video Now Playing Form 7 00:47 Play Video Initial budget, typical budget, budget where downsizing is necessary

I listen to you almost every day on Faith FM. I have learned so much and you have been God sent to me. I was praying to God for help in understanding His law with regards to finance and God blessed me with the best teacher/mentor I could have asked for. Thank you Tom and God bless you. Back to Testimonials Faith FM Listener I listen to you almost every day on Faith FM. I have learned so much and you have been God sent to me. I was praying to God for help in understanding His law with regards to finance and God blessed me with the best teacher/mentor I could have asked for. Thank you Tom and God bless you. Ellyna Previous Next

Discover exciting financial online webinar events with Finance Tutor. Stay updated on the latest financial online webinar opportunities today! What's On at Copland Financial Ministries Upcoming Events Thu, Apr 09 Tom Leonard and Michael Howes Small Group-Financial Management God's Way- Thursdays 7:30 pm to 9:30pm / More Details Apr 09, 2026, 7:30 p.m. – Jun 25, 2026, 9:30 p.m. Zoom Tom Leonard and Michael will be leading a small group about Financial Management that will start on April 9-June 25, 2026 +54 more Sat, Jun 06 Christine Kewallal Small Group-Financial Management God's Way- Saturday, 10am-12noon / More Details Jun 06, 2026, 10:00 a.m. EDT – Aug 29, 2026, 12:00 p.m. EDT Zoom Christine will be leading another small group about Financial Management that will start on June 6, 2026 See All Sun, Jun 14 Tom Copland, Jonathan Grant , Josh Grant & Elijah Grant -"Management of Money Impact Your Relationship with God" / More Details Jun 14, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd W, Orillia, ON L3V 6X5, Canada On June 14, 2026 at 12:00noon to 2pm, Tom Copland, Jonathan Grant,Josh Grant & Elijah Grant will conduct a workshop about Management of Money Impact Your Relationship with God, Your Spouse and Eternity. In Person only at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd., Orillia, ON. See All Wed, Jun 17 Alexandra and Joyce Financial Management God's Way Small Group / More Details Jun 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m. EDT – Sep 02, 2026, 9:00 p.m. EDT Zoom Alexandra King and Joyce Rustenburg, small group leaders, will be leading an in-depth biblical financial study titled "Financial Management God's Way” on Zoom. Registration Closed Sun, Mar 22 Tom Copland, Jonathan Grant , Josh Grant & Elijah Grant -Handling Money God's Way-(In-Person Only ) (Meta Registration) / More Details Mar 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – May 10, 2026, 8:00 p.m. Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd W, Orillia, ON L3V 6X5, Canada Starting March 22, 2026, 6pm to 8pm, Tom Copland, Jonathan Grant,Josh Grant & Elijah Grant will conduct a workshop about Handling Money God's Way In Person only at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd., Orillia, ON. +4 more Registration Closed Tue, Jan 13 Eli and Tony Financial Management God's Way Small Group-Tuesday 7:00pm-9:00pm / More Details Jan 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. EST – Feb 24, 2026, 9:00 p.m. EST Zoom Tony and Eli will be conduction another amazing small group session that will start on January 13, 2026 +54 more Registration Closed Thu, Oct 30 Randy Ziegenhagel and Al McClaney - Financial Management God’s Way- Thursday evenings / More Details Oct 30, 2025, 7:30 p.m. – Feb 05, 2026, 9:30 p.m. Zoom October 30, 2025 to February 5, 2026- Thursday evenings +26 more Registration Closed Sun, Oct 26 Tom Copland, Josh Grant and Jonathan Grant-In-Person Only -Handling Money God's Way / More Details Oct 26, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd., Orillia, ON Starting March 22, 2026, 6pm to 8pm, Tom Copland, Josh Grant and Jonathan Grant will conduct a workshop about Handling Money God's Way In Person only at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd., Orillia, ON. Here's the schedule: March 22, March 29, April 5, [we will skip April 12 Easter Sunda +70 more Registration Closed Sat, Oct 25 Tony Martino - In-Person Event Only - Financial Management God's Way For Men / More Details Oct 25, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. EDT Brampton, 11613 Bramalea Rd, Brampton, ON L6R 4B7, Canada Financial Management God's Way For Men, October 25, 2025 at Hope City Church 11613 Bramalea Rd Brampton, ON L6R 0C2 Register in this link To register please scan the QR code in this link https://hopebram.infellowship.com/Forms/478721 Registration Closed Sun, Oct 19 Tom Copland, Josh Grant and Jonathan Grant - In-Person & Online -Secular vs. Biblical Perspective On Managing Money / More Details Oct 19, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EDT Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd., Orillia, ON Oct. 19, 2025, 6pm to 8pm, Tom Copland, Josh Grant and Jonathan Grant will conduct a workshop about Secular vs. Biblical Perspective on Managing Money , In Person and Online at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd., Orillia, ON. +184 more Registration Closed Tue, Sep 16 Efrain Soto and Tom Leonard- Financial Management God's Way- Tuesday, 7:30pm to 9:30pm / More Details Sep 16, 2025, 7:30 p.m. EDT – Dec 02, 2025, 9:30 p.m. EST Zoom Starting September 16, 2025- Dec. 2, 2025. every Tuesday at 7:30pm to 9:30pm, Efrain Soto, Tom Copland and Tom Leonard , will be leading an in-depth biblical financial study titled "Financial Management God's Way” via Zoom. +99 more Registration Closed Sat, Jul 12 Christine Kewallal Small Group-Financial Management God's Way- Saturday, 10am-12noon / More Details Jul 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m. EDT – Oct 04, 2025, 12:00 p.m. EDT Zoom Christine will be leading another small group about Financial Management that will start on July 12, 2025 +12 more Registration Closed Sat, Mar 29 Christine Kewallal Small Group-Financial Management God's Way / More Details Mar 29, 2025, 10:00 a.m. EDT – Jun 21, 2025, 12:00 p.m. EDT Zoom Christine will be leading another small group about Financial Management that will start on July 12, 2025 +27 more Registration Closed Thu, Feb 20 Alexandra and Joyce Financial Management God's Way Small Group / More Details Feb 20, 2025, 7:30 p.m. EST – May 08, 2025, 9:30 p.m. EDT Zoom Alexandra King and Joyce Rustenburg, small group leaders, will be leading an in-depth biblical financial study titled "Financial Management God's Way” on Zoom. +27 more Registration Closed Tue, Nov 19 Tony and Eli - Financial Management God's Way / More Details Nov 19, 2024, 7:00 p.m. EST – Feb 18, 2025, 9:00 p.m. EST Zoom Tony and Eli will be conduction another amazing small group session that will start on November 19, 2024 +30 more Registration Closed Thu, Oct 24 Randy Ziegenhagel and Al McClaney - Financial Management God’s Way / More Details Oct 24, 2024, 7:30 p.m. – Jan 30, 2025, 9:30 p.m. Zoom +47 more Registration Closed Sat, Sep 21 Christine Kewallal Small Group-Financial Management God's Way / More Details Sep 21, 2024, 10:00 a.m. EDT – Dec 14, 2024, 12:00 p.m. EST Zoom Christine will be leading another small group about Financial Management that will start on Sept. 21, 2024 +59 more Registration Closed Fri, Jun 14 Financial Management God's Way Small Group- Alexandra and Joyce / More Details Jun 14, 2024, 8:00 p.m. EDT – Aug 30, 2024, 10:00 p.m. EDT Zoom Alexandra King and Joyce Rustenburg, small group leaders, will be leading an in-depth biblical financial study titled "Financial Management God's Way” on Zoom. +21 more Load More Thu, Apr 09 Tom Leonard and Michael Howes Small Group-Financial Management God's Way- Thursdays 7:30 pm to 9:30pm / More Details Apr 09, 2026, 7:30 p.m. – Jun 25, 2026, 9:30 p.m. Zoom Tom Leonard and Michael will be leading a small group about Financial Management that will start on April 9-June 25, 2026 +54 more Sat, Jun 06 Christine Kewallal Small Group-Financial Management God's Way- Saturday, 10am-12noon / More Details Jun 06, 2026, 10:00 a.m. EDT – Aug 29, 2026, 12:00 p.m. EDT Zoom Christine will be leading another small group about Financial Management that will start on June 6, 2026 See All Sun, Jun 14 Tom Copland, Jonathan Grant , Josh Grant & Elijah Grant -"Management of Money Impact Your Relationship with God" / More Details Jun 14, 2026, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd W, Orillia, ON L3V 6X5, Canada On June 14, 2026 at 12:00noon to 2pm, Tom Copland, Jonathan Grant,Josh Grant & Elijah Grant will conduct a workshop about Management of Money Impact Your Relationship with God, Your Spouse and Eternity. In Person only at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 300 Coldwater Rd., Orillia, ON. See All Wed, Jun 17 Alexandra and Joyce Financial Management God's Way Small Group / More Details Jun 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m. EDT – Sep 02, 2026, 9:00 p.m. EDT Zoom Alexandra King and Joyce Rustenburg, small group leaders, will be leading an in-depth biblical financial study titled "Financial Management God's Way” on Zoom.

Thank you Tom for your faithfulness in teaching through God's word, and many hours on your own time, for our benefit and God's call. It has been great and very much appreciated by me and I am sending a donation for your ministry, by mail today. I will continue to pray for your ministry, too. Thank you again for all you do. Back to Testimonials Thank you Tom for your faithfulness Thank you Tom for your faithfulness in teaching through God's word, and many hours on your own time, for our benefit and God's call. It has been great and very much appreciated by me and I am sending a donation for your ministry, by mail today. I will continue to pray for your ministry, too. Thank you again for all you do. L.M. Stouffville, ON, Canada Previous Next