SOW Blog

Walking in God’s Favor: Don’t pattern your life after this world. Let God transform you from the inside out and give you a new way of thinking. Then you will know what is good and pleasant to Him and what is not. Romans 12:2

God’s Plans to Prosper You, Is Better Than Your Plans to Prosper You

Over the past 2 decades of studying stewardship, inspirational and wisdom literature, we have discovered that people embrace one of three mindsets concerning wealth; a prosperity mindset, a poverty mindset or a stewardship mindset.

The prosperity mindset thinks, “I work to become wealthy”. On any given day you can turn on your television and easily find a TV evangelist asking you to sow a seed into his ministry (That’s preacher talk for give me some money) so he can send you a DVD or CD to teach you how to walk in your divine financial destiny. The prosperity mindset believes godly people are wealthy and ungodly people are poor.

The poverty mindset thinks, “I work to take care of my basic needs.” You might hear them say “I have food on the table and a roof over my head that’s all need.” They will quote Bible verses like “I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging for bread”. The poverty mindset believes godly people are poor and ungodly people are wealthy.

Wise People Know That All Their Money Belongs to God

The stewardship mindset thinks, “I work to serve God. God is my CEO. I am just a manager, apprentice, or steward of the blessings God provides for me. What I have God gave me, what I know God taught me, where I am God brought me.” The stewardship mindset believes godly people are faithful and ungodly people are unfaithful.

Stewardship Is A Way Of Life 

Stewardship is a holistic approach to life in which you realize everything you have is a gift from God even the very air you breathe. God is your CEO. You are only a manager, apprentice, or steward of His blessings. The better steward you become, the more God can bless and trust your heart to handle His business.

Empowerment Session At The Truelight Church of God In Christ

Today you can choose to be a faithful or unfaithful steward for a loving Creator. God is always willing and able to empower your life and transform your heart. Remember God offers only the best for your life.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord we choose to be faithful stewards.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of a weekly podcast Better Husband Father Man a hub for all things parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates  Insurance Agency and the co-founder & of Stewardshipofwealth.com  Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. She 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 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and eight exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook  ”Stewardship of Wealth”.

Walking in God’s Favor: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,  so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV

Do More For Others, Than You Do For Yourself- The Key To Happiness.

Why would God say He loves a cheerful giver? Giving is an emotional experience that involves the heart.  The word of God says that where your treasures are, that’s where your heart will be also. You must make giving a part of your day to day Christian experience.

Steps To Giving Cheerfully

• Prayer…Ask for God’s power to change your heart. David asked  God for a clean heart. Only God has the ability to change hearts. God can transform your thinking if you give Him permission.
• Seek…Discover God’s wisdom in His Word. Turn off the TV,  iPad  and iphone.  Get into a regular Bible study group. How can you walk in God’s favor and wisdom if you rarely read His divine road map?
• Fellowship…Rub shoulders with people who are generous givers of their time, talents, treasure (money) & temple(body) in honor of God. Hang around people who live a stewardship lifestyle and are great examples of faithfulness.
• Share…Tell your experience to others of how God has blessed your faithfulness. Many times you do not realize God is all you need, until God is all you got.

Becoming A Joyful Giver 

You can give more when you are not in bondage to debt and credit cards.  It is difficult to give cheerfully to the Kingdom when you have overextended yourself financially. Learn to say “No” to the person in the mirror and “Yes” to the Giver & Creator of life.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord help us to give cheerfully.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of a weekly podcast Better Husband Father Man a hub for all things parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates  Insurance Agency and the co-founder & of Stewardshipofwealth.com  Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. She 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 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and eight exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook  ”Stewardship of Wealth”.

Walking in God’s Favor: But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving. II Corinthians 8:7 NIV

The Habit Of Giving, Only Increases Your Capacity To Give

Among our siblings, our sister Vonseal’s life has modeled the spirit of giving. If you had a need and told Vonseal, she got it done. Even if you did not mention your need to Vonseal, if God spoke to her heart to meet your need, she would get it done. She was a living example of how God employs gracious givers to become a blessing in the lives of others and to spread His incredible love upon the planet.

We can personally say, having Vonseal as a sibling has been a tremendous blessing in our life. She is a tremendous blessing to our family, to our community of faith and the world is a better place because she passed through it. She was a graciously giver of her time, she was graciously giver of her talents, and she was graciously giver of her resources to whatever causes she was passionate about. Anyone who knew her, will tell you how God was moving all over her life and pouring His favor upon her each day, each hour and each moment of her life.

Do More For The World, Than The World Does For You

Level 4 stewards are gracious givers. They are gracious in giving of their time, they are gracious in sharing of their talents, and they are gracious in giving of their financial resources. Most of you have people in your lives or know someone with the spirit of giving.

Ardella and I can personally acknowledge, whatever we give graciously and cheerfully to God, He multiplies it back to us in so many ways. Jesus said in Luke 6:38 “Give and it will be given to you. A measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap”.

The Bank of Generosity, Is Never Bankrupt

Level 4 stewards are not only gracious givers, they are motivated out of their love for God and for people. The heart of the faithful steward says, “All that I have is Yours, Lord.” When you choose to give out of your love for God, He pours His favor over your life. If you are seeking God’s favor over your life, begin giving graciously from a place of love and joy.

As faithful stewards, you are examples all day, everyday, no excuses of God’s sustainable love for you. God loves you so much, He graciously gave up His Son. His Son, Jesus Christ, loves you so much, He graciously gave up His life. What are you willing to graciously give up to make a difference in the lives of others and the world?

Prayer of Blessing: Lord empower us with Your spirit of giving.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of a weekly podcast Better Husband Father Man a hub for all things parenting, marriage and self-improvement. He is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates  Insurance Agency and the co-founder & of Stewardshipofwealth.com  Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. She 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 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and eight exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook  ”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

Saving More of  Your Hard Earned Cash 

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.

Years ago, Ardella and I began planning to save 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.

One of our passions is sharing real life experiences with newly married and engaged couples. We share practical tips we have learned in our own marriage and from other married couples like Les and Leslie Parrott www.lesandleslie.com who also enjoy their marriage and have a passion for mentoring married couples.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Let’s face it, as you gracefully age, you generally have less energy and your health slowly begins to decline. As a result, you need to manage the amount of physical activity and maximize the results, so you don’t injure or prematurely kill yourself.  In other words, you have to work smarter not harder.

While you are young and healthy you must develop the practice of planning 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?

Practicing The Joseph Principle 

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 to plan and prepare for the future.

” 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. Most importantly; begin with the end in mind.

We invite you to visit our Financial Peace University Class, Tuesday’s 6:30pm March 1st -March 29th  www.firstsdachurch.www as we share the blueprint for developing smart money habits.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord help us to plan wisely for our future.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of a weekly podcast Better Husband Father Man a hub for all things parenting, marriage and self-improvement. He is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates  Insurance Agency and the co-founder of Stewardshipofwealth.com  Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. She 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 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and seven grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook  ”Stewardship of Wealth“

Walking In God’s Favor: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 1Corinthians 13:11 NLT

Change Starts in Your Thinking

Moving from a life of struggle to a life of stability is an individual choice. Many of you cannot see yourselves  maturing from a life of struggle to a life of  stability; therefore you remain in a life struggle.

Faithful stewards learn to live on a budget and give their money a mission.  But more importantly,  faithful stewards are accountable to God. The faithful steward has learned to say “no” to the person in the mirror,  and “yes” to God’s voice.

Leaping Forward With A New Attitude

One of the keys that differentiate the life of struggle with the life of stability is the will to delay immediate gratification for long-term goals. One sign of spiritual maturity is the will to choose long-term goals over short-term  gain.

I (Michael) clearly remember our parents teaching us the connection between work and money.  As a kid, they would give my two younger brothers and me money for doing chores like cutting the grass, raking leaves or washing the car.

As soon as I received my money, I would run down to the corner grocery store to spend every penny I had earned on Chinese Sweet & Sours Balls, Red Hots, banana flavored Now & Laters, and  my favorite, Hostess Chocolate Twinkies.

My parents would comment how  I had holes in my pocket when they observed how quickly I spent my money. They found teachable moments  to encourage me  to save.  They planted seeds of wisdom like ” Money don’t grow on trees” in  my life.  My parents were the first teachers who sowed into my life the importance of working hard and saving money.

Trust the Process: Time has a way of showing you what really matters 

My truth (Michael) is, even today as an adult I struggle with delaying immediate gratification for long term goals. Sharing My Testimony  The desire to spend money I don’t have, to  buy things I don’t  need, to impress people I don’t know.  That desire to spend money grew into an uncontrollable desire to have wealth without going through the process of  developing the financial skills necessary to manage wealth.

In order for you to move to a life of stability you are going to have to go through the process. It’s your choice. You have the ability to become a better steward of your wealth. We are a living example that God will empower in your life  to do that which you cannot do on your own. Remember keep praying, keep believing, with God all things are possible.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, give us transformational power.

Michael J. Vance is the co-founder of Stewardshipofwealth.com and the co-host of a weekly podcast Better Husband Father Man your hub for all things marriage, parenting, and self-improvement. Michael J. Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency. Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. 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 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and seven grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog 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

The Price of Fame

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

Taking Responsibility for Your Choices

Level 4 stewards internally recognize the importance of being who you say you are. Personal integrity has a tremendous impact on your own life and those around you.

In my early 30′s, as a young husband, father, leader, and business man,  I made it a goal I would not teach or speak publicly about principles I was not practicing in my own life.

Warren Buffet says “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.

Integrity; Vitamins For The Soul

Healthy Choices

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

Spending quality time with your spouse, attending your children or grandchildren’s events,  exercising regularly and eating healthy foods, budgeting your personal finances, along with setting business goals requires you to consider who you are and the example you leaving others to follow.

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

Michael J. Vance is the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com and the co-host of a weekly podcast http://www.betterhfm.com Better Husband, Father, Man is your hub for all things marriage, parenting, and self-improvement. Michael J. Vance is a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency. Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. 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 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and seven grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog 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

That Vexing Urge To Spend

Queen Latifa stars in a movie titled, Last Holiday. She is mistakenly told by her doctor 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 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.

Headed for Financial Problems

Many of you live your financial lives pretty much the same way during the holiday season.  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 during the holidays like many Americans, here’s 5 tips from Financial Peace University  www.fpu.com to help you make wise choices when buying items over $150:

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.

Changing Future Generations’ Mind-set

If God blessed some of you with money with your current character traits and mind-set, 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. Our mission is changing future generations’ mind-set.

When God opens the doors of heaven to pour out financial  blessings on you, spend that money wisely.  Learn to make a plan, give to God, give to yourself, and have some fun. You are invited to visit our Legacy Journey Class  www.firstsdachurch.com  every Tuesday at 6:30pm til December 15th. We will walk through the process step by step of  leaving a legacy.

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

Michael Vance is the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com and a senior account executive with Hundley Batts & Associates. 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 seven grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking in God’s Favor: Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38 NLT

Discovering Your Inner Generosity During the Holidays

Why does it feel so good deep down inside when you give? The Word of God says it is better to give than to receive. Giving is optional. You choose to give or not to give. When you choose to give, it touches the very essence of your soul and pleases God.

Faithful stewards give wisely of their time, talents or spiritual gifts and their financial resources so that their choices will honor God.  They are so connected to the Source, they have learned to set boundaries that helps them grow spiritually.

Playing The Game to Win

Is it possible to give too much time and energy pursuing material riches? Jesus the CEO of the universe tells the story of a business man who was prospering financially.

All his time and energies were preoccupied with how to manage his overflow. Can you imagine having so much wealth that you, your children,  your grandchildren, your great grandchildren and your great great grandchildren could not spend it all in a lifetime?

Jesus calls this business man a fool because he did not recognize his soul was bankrupt and his spiritual life was in debt. This obviously successful entrepreneur was blinded by his addiction for more and more wealth.

Living the Dream

We believe Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffet all recognize that stewardship is a matter of the soul. Where you spend your time, share your talents or spiritual gifts  and give your financial support tells the world what is important to you.

We personally believe that God blesses you so that you can be a blessing to others. We want to encourage you to make giving a part of your spiritual DNA today. You will be amazed at what God will grow in your life when you sow into the lives of meaningful  others. It’s a matter of the soul.

Prayer of Blessings: Lord, open our hearts to give more.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. She 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 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and seven grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking In God’s Favor:  I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me.  I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. Philippians 4:13 Amplified Bible

Power Shift

Many Level 1 Stewards become comfortable at this point of their stewardship journey. They have learned to trust God and accept whatever circumstances the vicissitudes of life brings. I heard a preacher say, “I don’t mind living hand to mouth as long as the hand is God”.

Level 1 Stewards have some of the most inspiring testimonies of God’s power working in their behalf. They have personally encountered the Holy Spirit operating in their lives. As a Level 1 Steward, I remember several years ago riding on an empty tank of gas for three days.There is no doubt in my mind that it was the hand of God working on my behalf. I was a relatively new believer in the principle of tithing. I was struggling with the decision of returning to God 10% of my income off the top before I paid my bills.  If I was faithful to God, I would not have enough money to put gas in our car to travel to my customers businesses as an insurance agent.

You Can Always Trust God

In faith, I returned my tithe and gave a love offering on top of the tithe. God intervened into my reality and for three days I drove my car on an empty tank of gas. God is awesome!  God intervened to encourage me to trust in Him. There is nothing like the power of God operating in your reality.

I also remember how I felt, several weeks after that awesome experience of driving my car on an empty tank of gas for three days. I ran out of gas on the corner of Oakwood Ave and Pulaski Pike in Huntsville, Alabama with a pocket full of money in front of a gas station. What I learned,  while in Level I Stewardship, is that God is not going to do for you, what you can do for yourself.

You Are Accountable For Your Choices

For me to think that if I tithe, every time my gas tank is empty, God will miraculously fill it when He has already blessed me with the money to fill my tank, is unhealthy thinking. God expects us to grow in faith and wisdom.

If you desire to move to the next level of stewardship, you must make a decision to grow. You have only seen the tip of what God can manifest in your life when you allow God to grow His Spirit of wisdom  into you. God is willing and able to move you to the next level of your spiritual discovery.

 Prayer of Blessings: Heavenly Father, move us to a higher level in our giving and living.

Michael Vance is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. She 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 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and seven grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking In God’s Favor: And, of course, it is very good if a man has received wealth from the Lord and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life—that is indeed a gift from God. The person who does that will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy. Ecclesiastes 5:19 TLB

Embrace Your Faith

You must choose to walk in God’s favor. God will not force Himself on you. He has given you a free will. We believe God values your independent thoughts and creativity.

A relationship with God will not happen by accident. You must be willing to surrender your heart to God on a continual basis. God finds favor with you when you trust Him and have faith in Him regardless of your life’s circumstances. God loves you and wants the best for your life.

Finding Your Voice & Caring For Your Soul

Whatever God does for you is for your good and His glory. You don’t really understand how intimately God wants to abide in you. I clearly remember a God moment when I was 19 years old serving in the U.S. Military. I sensed that God’s best for me was more than the military even though I really enjoyed my six-years of military service.

The ship I toured the Western Pacific

One the best things that happened to me during my military service is I met and married Ardella on the Island of Guam. The military also afforded me the opportunity to travel to over 15 foreign countries and 4 continents. As I traveled thousand of miles around the world, my desire to move closer to God increased.

Ardella & I as newly weds on the island of Guam

Maximum Empowerment

Upon surrendering my heart to God, I gave Him total reign over my life. I willingly volunteered to serve Him for the rest of my life. I happily share my journey with meaningful others how faith has made a difference in my financial life.

Today, Ardella and I are thankful for the love, peace, joy, goodness, abundance, and protection He provides for us. I am also thankful that God is patiently growing my character as a leader, husband, father, grandfather, and businessman.

You are invited to attend our Financial Faith Bootcamp Wednesday 7pm August 26th and September 2nd at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Life University http://www.firstsdachurch.com Discover how your faith can make a difference in your finances.

 A Word from God: Come near to God, and God will come near to you. You sinners, clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time, make your thinking pure. James 4:8 EXP

Michael Vance is a senior account executive  with Hundley Batts & Associates and the co-founder of stewardshipofwealth.com. Ardella Vance volunteers her time, talents, and financial resources to causes she is passionate about. Ardella 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 Vances have been married well over 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and seven grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.