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Walking in God’s Favor: The Lord will bless you so you will become the leading nation in the world, if you pay attention to what He said and faithfully keep the commandments and laws that He has given you. Deuteronomy 28:14

Do you love God or only the blessings God gives?

North America  is one of the richest countries on the planet. Mel Gipson, movie actor/producer,  earned over 350 million dollars from the movie The Passion of  Christ. Oprah Winfrey is one of the richest Women of Color in the world.

Such enormously powerful income can support lavish lifestyles, magnificent mansions, awesome automobiles, exotic vacations, unlimited shopping for designer clothes & luxury personal items. The social media is more than willing to unveil  to the general public the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

Dealing With Materialism 

Unfortunately, many Americans believe that anything less than  excessive luxury is equivalent to poverty. If your goal is the Hollywood style of prosperity, more than likely that is something you will probably never reach. The bling bling life style of professional athletes and recording artists influence people young and old to get rich or die trying.

We believe there is a difference between riches and wealth. You can become rich without God in your life. We can easily find unethical Wall Street Bankers, greedy CEO’s, drug dealers and pornography pimps who are rich. That’s because riches are material possessions.

Change Your  Core Values

On the other hand, wealth is obtained through spiritual wisdom, character development, and the observance of God’s laws. We should not worry or focus all our time on getting rich. But instead, focus on loving God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your soul. It is He who gives you the power to get wealth.

God will take care of your needs according to His riches in glory. God’s plan for your life is greater than anything you could ever dream or imagine. God loves you more that anyone and has a plan for your life.

Prayer of Blessing : Lord, thank  You for the power of love.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is  a gifted educator and  a Master Guide in the Pathfinders  Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people.  The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath  fulfilled the law. Roman 13:8 KJV

Managing Money

We believe overcoming financial bondage is one of the greatest struggles for you seeking financial freedom. Many of  you only dream of saving money. In many instances you do not experience financial health because you are trying to borrow yourselves into wealth. You want to look rich to cover your raggedness. You desire to appear prosperous to hide your poverty. You feel that wealth can heal your wounds.

The Cycle of Debt

Many of you do not see anything wrong with living in debt. The more you can borrow the better. We didn’t either at first; just like the story of the frog . I’m told if you put a frog in a pot of water on a stove with no lid, and gradually turn up the heat, the frog will remain in the pot until it is cooked alive, even though the frog has the ability to easily jump out of the pot at anytime.

Initially we felt debt was a good thing; just a financial tool. It allowed us to obtain things we felt we needed  now and we could pay for it later….WOW! That sounded like a good deal… Just like when the serpent lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden. He told Eve if she ate of the tree of good and evil she would not “surely die”. Listen to me people, if you play with snakes you will get bitten.

Solve the Debt Problem

Debt has been successfully marketed by banks and financial institutions in the United States as your pathway to prosperity. As a result, many of you have found yourselves in financial bondage with little or no hope of ever experiencing financial freedom again.

If you are in bondage because of debt, your first step into financial freedom is to admit your finances are out of control. If you continue to live in denial, you won’t seek help and you won’t break free.  The Bible says that “the borrower is slave to the lender”. Ask God, in prayer, for the power  to break break free of  debt. With God, and a made up mind, you can experience financial freedom.

We invite to visit our www.firstsdachurch.com  Financial Peace University Class on our Money Mondays May 12th 6:30pm.  You will discover you can win with your money.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord give us the desire to live debt-free. 

Michael Vance is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is  a gifted educator and  a Master Guide in the Pathfinders  Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people.  The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking in Gods’ Favor: Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:11 NLT

Are You Ready for Your  Breakthrough?

If God blessed some of you with  money with your current character traits and mind-sets, your desire for instant gratification, your impulsive  tendencies that are out of control, and your media-driven consumer mentality would cause many of you to blow most, or all of  God’s financial blessings.

Repurposing Your Life

Queen Latifa stars in a movie titled  Last Holiday. She is mistakenly told by her doctors that she has a terminal illness and has a very short time to live. Believing that she is dying and her days are numbered, she decides to do the one thing on her bucket list that she has dreamed about all her entire life; travel to Europe.

She goes to her bank and withdraws all her life savings. She intends for this dream vacation to be an experience of a lifetime. Queen Latifa’s character in the movie books  her plane travel first-class in order to feel once in her lifetime, what the rich people enjoy when they travel.

She books her hotel reservation in a five-star hotel where the rich people stay and picks the high-rollers penthouse suite, which includes the luxury pamper  package only for the rich people. She dines out every night at the finest five-star restaurants where the rich people eat. She lives on the financial edge as if there is no tomorrow.

Healthy Financial Living

Many of you live your financial lives pretty much the same way.  You spend as if there is no tomorrow. One of the definitions of  maturity  is learning to delay pleasure. If you struggle in your spending like us, and many others, here’s 5 tips from Financial Peace University  www.fpu.com to help you make wise choices when buying items over $300:

1) Wait over night before buying. Sleeping on it takes the edge off you.

2) Consider your buying motives; why and why now?

3) Don’t buy things you don’t understand or can’t explain.

4) Consider the opportunity cost. Would the money be better invested or saved?

5) Seek the counsel of your spouse. If single, seek the counsel of a mature Christian you know and respect. 

When God opens the doors of heaven to pour out financial  blessings on you, spend your money wisely.  Learn to say no to the person in the mirror and yes to a life of purpose God designed for you.

Your are invited to visit our Financial Peace University Class www.firstsdachurch.com  Monday, 6:30pm, April 28th as our guest.

Prayer of Blessings:  Lord, we will honor You in our finances.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is  a gifted educator and  a Master Guide in the Pathfinders  Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people.  The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking In God’s Favor: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I Corinthians 11:1 NIV

Influencing Others 

You empower others to grow when they can see a living example. Nothing is more discouraging than a person  who gives good advice but sets a poor example.  On the other hand, nothing can be more encouraging or inspiring than a person who lives the life he or she talks about.

Level 4 stewards internally recognize the importance of being who you say you are. Personal integrity has a tremendous impact on our own lives and those around us. In my early 30′s, as a young husband, father, and business man,  I made a decision  I would not teach or speak publicly about principles I was not practicing in my own life.

Integrity; Vitamins For The Soul

This idea to be transparent in your public life  can help you to set positive examples of faithful stewardship in how you prioritize your time,  develop your God- given gifts,  care for your body-temple and invest your financial resources.

Spending quality time with my spouse, attending my children and grandchildren’s events,  exercising and eating healthy foods, budgeting our personal finances, along with setting business goals has required me to consider who I am and the example I’m leaving others to follow.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord help us to live with integrity.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the Pathfinders Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking In God’s Favor: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

The Value Of Time 

Level 4 Stewards realize the importance of time and manage their time wisely.  Staying connected to the Source is always their first priority. Level 4 stewards are aware that the choices they make today will impact future generations.  So staying connected to the Source is critical to the success of their life mission.

I have learned in my business life, that I can accomplish more with a team of professionals around me than I can ever accomplish on my own. I have learned to leverage my time by partnering with colleagues I trust, to offer services that can provide real solutions for potential customers.

I agree with what President Barack Obama says  “Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential”.

Time Well Invested

I have discovered in my spiritual life, that when I allow God lordship over my will, dreams, and ambitions, I experience more peace, love, and happiness in my world. God’s blessings in the life of  the Level 4 Steward will also be a blessing in the life of others. I believe God blesses the lives of Level 4 Stewards so they can be an example of  what He can do in a life that is connected to the Source.

I have developed the daily habit of investing time in prayer.  This allows me to say “No” to the good in order  to say “Yes” to the great.  For example, in order for me to live a healthy life style I say “No” to certain junk foods that may taste good and “Yes” to foods that give me proper nutrition and support my goal of healthy living.

Prospering With A Purpose

Here’s another example. In order for me to live a debt free life style, I say “No” to financing my desires with debt, and “Yes” to saving and investing to support my goal of wealth creation. The challenge for Level 4 Stewardship is to successfully remain connected to the Source, when you can have, do, and be anything you desire.

Connectivity to God is the source of all blessings.  Connectivity to people is how the blessings flow from the Source into our lives. I love what Mary Kay Ash  said “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do.

You can go as far as your mind lets you. What  you believe,  remember you can achieve”.  Level 4 Stewards are determined to stay connected to the  Source and practice the process of connectivity.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, help us to stay in constant contact with You.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the Pathfinders Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking In God’s Favor: If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18 MSG

Stewardship Is Your Economic Advantage

Level 4 Stewards humbly recognize the awesome power of God’s favor in their life. They  can feel God’s protection covering their lives, and have personally experienced over and over again God opening doors for them.  They know, that they know, that they know they know,  God has given them the power to have surplus in their lives.

They cheerfully give their first fruit off the top and then some. They have moved beyond the 10% tithe and generously give a love offering out of their surplus. Level 4 Stewards have a personal covenant with God and are living examples of what faithfulness is all about.

I agree with Antonio McGinnis when he  says in his book The Game Is Deep,  “There is no greater feeling than being prepared for every opportunity when it comes your way”.  Level 4 Stewards live each day as if  it is their last day, but plan as if they are going to live forever.

Most of us know instinctively, that we should have a will and last testament, living health directive, and power of  attorney in the invent of major accident or accidental death.  But how many of us invest in the time to secure these valuable life documents. We spend more time planning for a vacation than we do planing for our lives.

A Family Rags to Riches Story

When Ardella and I invested in the time to plan our future lives together, it was very enlightening. We began to think about our financial assets  and the kind of legacy we desired to leave  to our children and grand children.

We considered the physical and medical challenges of aging together gracefully.  More importantly,  we shared our deepest thoughts of how we each wanted to  live our last days and hours of life on this planet.

                                                         Debt-free Cruise to the Bahamas

Many faithful stewards will never experience Level 4 Stewardship in their life time. The will never feel the peace of  God  in this area of financial maturity and responsibility.  They have no desire to move past the known life of stability into the unknown life of surplus.

Living Your Life In The Overflow

The Level 4 Steward’s life has become a reservoir of God’s bountiful blessings.  Blessings seems to overflow in the Level 4 Steward’s  life.  I heard someone say it like this, ” I am drinking from my saucer because my cup is overflowing”.  When  God showers His blessing down on the faithful in Level 4 Stewardship, they wisely store some of their surplus for their future, their legacy, and for the storms of life.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, thank you for the wealth You have given us.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the Pathfinders Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking In God’s Favor: Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17  MSG

Prospering with a Purpose

We enjoy encouraging individuals  who have a plan, passion, and a purpose for obtaining  wealth.  We can be in the middle of a recession, and these individuals  will continue to seek creative ways to realize their financial dreams.

Deciding to become a better steward of your wealth takes wisdom, diligence, and prayer. If you seek the spiritual power that God gives to get wealth, you are going to have to think differently, and make choices that will move you toward your financial destiny.

The Profile Of The Wealthiest Families

You will be surprised to discover the profile of those who accumulate financial prosperity in America. According to Thomas J. Stanley & Williams D. Danko, authors of the The Millionaire Next Door, who researched Americans that have a net worth of a $1 million or more.

Their findings are interesting. Usually the person is an entrepreneur, who has lived in the same city all their adult life. They own either a service company, small factory, or chain of stores. They remain in a lifetime relationship and have married once. They live next door to people with a fraction of their wealth. They earned their money on their own, and 80%  are first generation rich.

The Secret Lifestyle of  The Wealthy

Here are seven common traits found in people who successfully create wealth: ( Adapted from the The Millionaire Next Door)

1. They live well below their means.

2. They balance and integrate their time, energy, and money efficiently in ways that create wealth.

3. They believe that financial independence is more important than displaying high social status.

4. Their parents did not give them their wealth.

5. Their adult children are economically self-sufficient.

6. They are good at finding and targeting marketing opportunities.

7. They chose the right occupation.

In closing, I leave you with the words of  Jesse Jackson in his book, It’s About Money,  “Income without wealth, is just flash without cash.” Always remember,  income is based on your paycheck, and wealth is based on your assets (what you own).

Prayer: Lord, thank You for wisdom that creates wealth into our life.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the Pathfinders Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking in God’s Favor: But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if he has enough money to pay the bills?  Otherwise he might complete only the foundation before running out of funds. And then how everyone would laugh! Luke 14:28-29 TLB

Let’s face it, as we gracefully age we generally have less energy and our health slowly begins to decline. As a result, we need to decrease the amount of physical work we perform, so we don’t injure or prematurely kill ourselves. In other words, we have to work smarter not harder.

You must begin with the end in mind. If  you plan to become faithful stewards of your wealth in this life you must be willing to pay the price. You are going to have to develop the habit of saving and investing your money.

While you are young and healthy you must develop the practice of saving for your golden years. Otherwise, your golden years will not be so golden. Many employers are no longer contributing or providing retirement plans for their employees. Therefore you must become personally proactive in saving and investing money for your golden years.

With that in mind, what is your plan? Do you have an emergency fund for the storms of life that are sure to come if you live long enough? Have you begun setting aside money for your golden years? Years ago, Ardella and I began the practice of saving a certain amount of money from our income so that we could have the flexibility to follow our dreams, passions, and opportunities in life during our golden years.

The Joseph principle is the ability to look around the corner and anticipate life’s challenges you may or may not face one day. In the Bible, Joseph wisely counseled Pharaoh in the book of Genesis. ” And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh and let them keep food in the cities. Then the food shall be as a reserve for the land for seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt that the land may not perish during the famine.” Genesis 41:35,36 (NKJV)

Joseph was divinely given the principle of saving for the storms of life and saved the entire Egyptian nation and his family. There are many lessons you can learn and practice in your life from the Joseph principle. We will end our blog with these words of wisdom.

Our greatest lack is not money for any undertaking, but rather ideas. If the ideas are good, cash will somehow flow to where it is needed – Robert H. Schuller

That which lies at the foundation of business integrity and to true success is the recognition of God’s ownership. God is Creator of all things; the Original Proprietor. We are His stewards. All that we have is a trust from Him to be used according to His direction. – Ellen G. White

One of the greatest needs of the modern Christian Church is for its disciples to swim away from the shallow banks of peripheral Christian living and plunge into the deep waters of faith and loyalty to God – Julius R. Scruggs

Our lives are the only meaningful expression of what we believe and in Whom we believe. And the only real wealth for any of us lies in our faith. Gordon B. Hinckley

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, help us to have great faith in our planning.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the Pathfinders Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking in God’s favor: I am certain that God, who began the good works within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Level 4 Stewards have taken care of business. They have a last will and testament in place and a financial plan for the golden years. (Age 70 is now the new 65 for retirement) Level 4 Stewards continue to develop their talents and abilities well beyond their 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s. Level 4 Stewards are always growing mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. They age gracefully with wisdom and live exceptionally vibrant lives.

Are you called to a higher level of stewardship? Are there pieces of your life you know need to change. We define stewardship from a holistic perspective. Beginning with our body temple. How are you taking care of yourself? Are you positively pushing yourself beyond your physical boundaries by making healthy choices daily.

Have you prioritized your time in relationship to your life goals, dreams, and purpose? Moments in US history like September 11th can change your priorities forever. Level 4 Stewardship must learn when to say “no” to the good in order to say “yes” to the great. You prioritize activities that align with your life mission.

What is your bucket list of things you want very much to accomplish, experience, or become. What gifts have you been given that you have layed aside that you need to pick back up. Ardella and I have always loved music. It is a lifelong passion we’ve both had since childhood. Over the years we have found creative ways to keep the music playing in our souls and share our lifetime passion of music with others. Don’t die with your music still in you.

Level 4 stewards intentionally mentor and sow into the lives of the next generation. They willingly share their life experiences and resources with family, friends, and meaningful others. Level 4 stewards look for ways to significantly impact the lives of people around them. They believe in the Givers Gain philosophy or law of reciprocity. “You reap what you sow”.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, we will follow where You lead us.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the Pathfinders Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking in God’s Favor: The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets. Proverbs 21:20 TLB

Many of you only dream of saving money. Here’s a quick snapshot of America’s finances. The Oprah Winfrey Show indicated in an online survey that 70% of responders have no savings anywhere. The Wall Street Journal indicates that 70% of all Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. You almost have to pull a gun on Americans to get them to save.

We have learned in Financial Peace University (3) key reasons to save money; for emergencies, for purchases, and to build wealth. Working in the risk management and academic arena for over 20 years, we label emergencies in 5 categories that we call the 5 Storms of Life or the 5D’s.

1Disasters – Car accidents, weather related perils, any unexpected incidents

2Disability – Any physical condition that prevents your daily living activities

3Downsized – Loss of employment, bankruptcy, or divorce

4Death – The loss of a person who contributes to your financial well being

5Deployment- Active and reserve military called to serve 6 or more months away

If you want to become a faithful steward, you must begin the process of saving money. Moving to a higher level of stewardship requires dedication, discipline, and diligence. Living the life of surplus and overflow takes wisdom.

Many of you have struggled so long in your financial lives, that now you are comfortable with a life of stability. This is not the time to rest; keep moving. There is so much God has for you to learn, experience, and become. You must choose to make saving a top priority. The choice is up to you.

You are invited to visit our Financial Peace University Class www.firstsdachurch.com Mondays 6:30pm as we share God’s blueprint for handling money.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, help us to save for the future. 

Michael Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance is a gifted educator and a Master Guide in the Pathfinders Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 25 years and share their lives with four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.