StewardshipofWealth.com Blog

Walking in God’s favor: Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4 (NIV)

Some People Use People and Love Money, Instead of Loving People and Using Money

We Christians in America have become so materialistic in our thinking. You have probably heard someone say, ” The one who dies with the most toys wins.” or “The one with the gold makes the rules.”

The things in this world are temporal, but the things of God are eternal.  I believe Jesus Christ is returning for a people – not possessions. So, what are you doing to build intimate relationships with those you love? How are you investing your financial resources to better your relationship with God and meaningful others?

Money Does Not Change People, It Only Exposes Them

When you develop intimate relationships, you do it one-to-one. Your attention is focused on one person. Their needs become your priority. Dr David and Teresa Ferguson, co-authors of Intimate Encounters says, “Intimate relationships take time and communication.”

Ardella and I recently returned from a 10-day camping adventure to the New England states to celebrate 38 years of marriage. We began planning months in advance what we wanted to experience. We planned how much it would cost to fly Ardella to Portland, Maine and for me to drive up with all our camping equipment. We discussed the weather conditions and what would be the ideal time to travel. We mapped out ten different State Parks and KOA’s that we would camp each night during our adventure. We planned what food we would take on the road and what places we would stop for a meal. The idea was for both of us to enjoy one another and create meaningful memories of celebrating our life together.

This includes sharing one’s feelings, putting one another first, sympathetic listening, and caring for one another. Sharing your heart with family and having meaningful relationships with others is what life is truly about. Life is meant to be shared. Sharing the love of  God with those we care about is priority for the Level 4 Steward.

Don’t Expect Loyalty From People Who Will Do Anything For Money

There is nothing like the power of your own life story. Everyone has a story to tell.  How are you being blessed today? Sharing your life experiences with others encourages them and gives them hope.  Tell others how you have overcome life’s struggles; how your faith brings stability in your life; how living by biblical principles gives you the wisdom to look around the corner to prepare for the storms of life. And finally, tell others of your spiritual discovery for your life’s work.

Prayer of blessing: Lord help me to value meaningful relationships.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of the Better Husband Father Man Podcast a hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is a financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency  and founder of Stewardship of Wealth. 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 Pathfinder Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vances have been married well over 3 decades and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook “Stewardship of Wealth”.

Walking In God’s Favor: Each of you should give whatever you have decided. You shouldn’t be sorry that you gave or feel forced to give, since God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 GW

Only By Giving Are You Able to Receive More Than You Already Have

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. Here’s how to start.

• Pray…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, cell phone and unplug. Get into a regular Bible study group. How can you walk in God’s 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.

Real Giving Happens When You Give From The Heart

People can give more when they 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.

You are invited to download our free Stewardship of Wealth (SOW) Guide. In our SOW Guide you will find links to several resources to inspire you to become a better steward of your wealth. Like us on Facebook and follow our blog. We are truly thankful for you and the 3,927 others who follow our Stewardshipofwealth.com blog. We pray that God continues to bless you and your family greatly.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, teach us to give from our heart.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of the Better Husband Father Man Podcast a hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is a financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency  and founder of Stewardship of Wealth. 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 Pathfinder Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vances have been married well over 3 decades and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook “Stewardship of Wealth”.

Walking in God’s Favor: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:17,18 NKJV

Good Leaders Must Become Good Servants

To think like a Level 4 steward requires a change of heart. A Level 4 steward thinks more of how you can serve others rather than yourself. Once you have acquired a servant’s heart, you no longer focus so much on your own needs, but turn your heart to the needs of others.

I clearly remember walking into my office years ago, as a young insurance agent in my twenties, disappointed for not obtaining the sales goals I had planned for the week. I knocked on Mr. Hundley Batts’  door and asked if I could speak to him for a moment. “Mr.  Batts”, I said, “I have been out selling all day long and  cannot find anyone to sell insurance to.”

Hundley Batts replied, “That’s your problem, Son.  Find people you can serve.” Those five words ” Find people you can serve” changed my whole entire paradigm on how I operate my business battsandassoc.com . These days, eighty percent of my business comes from referral business of people who value my time, integrity, insurance intelligence, and the services we offer.

Service to Others Lead To Greatness

Level 4 Stewardship is one of the best ways to describe the heart of a servant. Many faithful stewards begin their spiritual discovery as servants, however they end up as  celebrities. They become addicted to the spotlight, unaware that constantly being in the lime light can blind you.

There are four areas of life the Level 4 Steward will primarily focus:

#1 How you care for your body(temple)

#2 How you invest your time

#3 How you develop your talents or gifts

#4 How you manage your treasure (financial assets)

You Are Never More God Like Than When You Love & Serve Your Family

This is a holistic approach to serving. God wants all of you – not just little pieces of you.  Level 4 Stewards accept the truth that God owns it all, and we are only caretakers, managers, and apprentices . They think like servants, not like owners.

Can you be trusted with wealth, power, and social capital? The heart of the Level 4 Steward is in giving service to God. Level 4 Stewards make sure their lives honor God, and their life work leaves the planet a much better place to live.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, empower us to serve others.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of the Better Husband Father Man Podcast  a hub for all things parenting, marriage, and self improvement. He is a financial & benefit risk manager for Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency   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 ten grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking In God’s Favor: Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect. Romans 12:2 NCV

Continuous Optimization, Always Keep Learning

We are so happy to celebrate our nephew’s recent graduation with a Bachelor of Arts in education from California State University Sacramento during the COVID-19 pandemic. This accomplishment takes a commitment to excellence.

Those Who Keep Learning, Will Keep Growing In Life 

Ardella and I have posted the wisdom and insights we have learned from our journey of becoming the best  version of ourselves  in 2021. Our Stewardshipofwealth.com team is committed to playing a significant role in encouraging you to grow in areas of  your life that need confirmation and clarity.

Here are some suggested readings to empower you in that process of becoming a better steward of your wealth and the best version of yourself.

1. Life of Excellence – Richard Simmons III

2. Go Do Your Something – Lamont Dupree

3.  Wealth – It’s in Your Worship Not Your Works – Roland J. Hill

4.  A Champion Game Plan For Life – Preston Brown

5. Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey

6. Stewardship Of Wealth – Changing Your Family Tree – Michael & Ardella Vance

7. 80 Proven Ways to Become a Millionaire – Paul  S. Damazo

8. Taking Care of Business – Lee Jenkins

9. Debt Free  Degree – Anthony O’Neil

10. 12 Week Year – Brian Moran

11.  Power to Get Wealth: No Money Required – Keith Douglas

12.  5am With God – Keaires Roberson

Prayer of Blessing:  Lord, we thank You for the desire to grow.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of the Better Husband Father Man Podcast  a hub for all things parenting, marriage, and self improvement. He is a financial & benefit risk manager for Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency   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 ten grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog weekly from their financial workbook ” The Stewardship of Wealth“.

Walking in God’s Favor: Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything.  Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for his answers. Philippians 4:6 TLB

Living a Stewardship Lifestyle

We were introduced to stewardship principles by Elder Harold Lee, as a young couple with 4 kids, while I was serving in the U.S. Navy at Rough & Ready Island in Stockton California. My life’s spiritual journey has never been the same.

We discovered that God has placed in each one of us more potential then you will ever develop. You must choose to or not to develop your God Given gifts and talents. After practicing and living stewardship principles for over three decades we teach 4 levels of  stewardship in which you are living  consciously or unconsciously each day of your life.

Level 1 Stewardship is a life of struggle. The Level 1 Steward is trying to survive; to keep the lights on, food on the table and gas in the car. I remember as young father being so concerned about paying bills and meeting my family financial obligations I could not think about my higher purpose. Something was missing. Why did I want to become wealthy?

The Level 1 Steward can become so overwhelmed trying to survive, you can not hear God’s voice calling you. The Holy Spirit speaking to your heart is drowned out by the immediate needs in front of you.

You Cannot Be Spiritual Liberated Living In Financial Bondage

The first life lesson you must learn in Level 1 Stewardship is that God is the Creator Owner and you are only a manager, apprentice or steward.  This spiritual truth must be the foundation of your life.  You can become a billionaire and be a billion miles away from God if you do not internalize this truth.

The second life lesson you must learn in Level 1 Stewardship is to put your faith and trust in God.  God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. The better steward you become, the more God will trust you, because he knows you can handle it.  Level 1 Stewards walks by faith and not by sight.

When riches dominate your heart, God loses preeminence over your life

Why is it when God blesses you with a good education and you worship the education. Why is it when God blesses you with a successful business and you worship the business? Why is it when God blesses you with money and you worship the money. Instead of worshiping the Gift Giver you worship the gift.

The Level 1 Stewards worship God as Creator Owner and have faith in God’s sustaining power. Stewardship is not just about giving money, it’s about giving everything. Stewardship is a way of life.

Prayer of Blessings: Lord we worship You.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of the podcast Better Husband Father Man hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is a financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency  and the past-president of the  Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association. 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 International Pathfinder Club; a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 3 decades and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook “Stewardship of Wealth”.

Walking In God’s Favor: But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. Mark 11:25 (TLB)

To Make Errors In Life is Human, To Forgive Errors in Life Is Spiritual

In our society people will take advantage of  your trust. They will scheme, swindle and fraudulently go after your wealth. People like Bernard Lawrence Madoff, have made money their God. They have no problem lying, cheating and ripping you off, if it puts money into their pockets. They knowingly take advantage of their influence, power, and wealth.

Bernard Lawrence Madoff was a convicted scammer and con artist who ran the world’s largest Ponzi scheme. He was a former chairman of the NASDAQ stock market before being revealed as the operator of the largest financial fraud in history, worth about $64.8 billion.

Madoff pleaded guilty in March 2009 to securities fraud and other charges, saying he was “deeply sorry and ashamed.” A judge sentenced him to a 150-year prison term and issued a forfeiture order stripping Madoff of all his personal property, including real estate, investments, and $80 million in assets. He died in prison April 14, 2021 at the age of 82.

Forgiveness Does Not Change the Past, But it Does Enlarge the Future

Level 4 Stewards practice the spiritual principle of forgiveness.  They have personally experienced the transformational power of forgiveness in their own lives and extend that kind of forgiveness to others.  When someone takes advantage of you, your faith can restore your loss in many ways. As you release the anger, bitterness, resentment, and hostility you begin to feel empathy, compassion, and the spiritual power of God’s love.

To Forgive Is To Set A Prisoner Free, And Discover That The Prisoner Was You

Forgiveness is not a option for the Level 4 Steward. They extend grace to others, learn from the experience, and move on with their life’s mission. You can only experience this kind of forgiveness when you are connected to the Source of forgiveness. We will close this post with a quote from Billy Graham  ” Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness.”

Prayer of Blessings: Lord teach us to forgive.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of the podcast Better Husband Father Man hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is a financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency  and the past-president of the  Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association. 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 International Pathfinder Club; a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over 3 decades and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook “Stewardship of Wealth”.

Walking In God’s Favor: For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. Philippians 4:13 (Message)

The Struggle Is Real; Give People Grace To Grow

How serious are you about becoming the person God designed you to be? Many times you say words with your lips that are inconsistent with your actions. Why is there so often a disconnect between what you say and what you do?

The answer to this questions is not the same for everyone. For some,  its just lip service, but for so many others it has sincerely been a struggle to do the things you know to do. Can you relate to Paul when he says in the Bible “For the good that I would, I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Romans 7:19  (KJV)

For Ardella and myself, the journey out of financial bondage has been a long, tedious one, and the struggle is real. There have been times when we felt like we were treading water, making no progress at all. Then there times in which we would take one step forward and two steps backwards.

We Believe Prayer Is The Most Important Conversation Of Your Day

What is it, that motivated us to keep going, even when we could not see the light at the end of the tunnel? We have two answers for that question; prayer and Bible promises.

Powerful conversations with God has given us strength, power, and wisdom to make tough decisions and change our lifestyle. Listening to God’s Spirit and reading the Bible has given us hope when we felt hopeless or discouraged. We remained faithful to Bible promises even when it looked like it was impossible.

Wherever you are in your financial journey, find a Bible promise that you can use for whatever situation you find yourself in. The Bible contains over 2,000 promises concerning your financial victory and one has been tailor made for you at this moment in your life.

Invest In Yourself; Do Your Work; Your Time Will Come

You have a God who is bigger than your problems. He knows the beginning and the end. He is personally concerned about your needs. How can you not succeed? There is no limit to what God can do in the lives of faithful stewards.

When you begin to experience success and victory,  be sure to recognize God from Who all blessings flow.  Resist the tendency to feel like you did it by yourself. Remember the words of  Wernher von Braun. ” I have learned to use the word “impossible” with the greatest caution.”

You are invited to our zoom Financial Literacy Empowerment Session, April 17th 6pm, for the Family Life Ministry at the New Life Worship Center. Ardella and I will walk you through the “Four Levels of Stewardship” to help you become a better steward of your wealth. For more information go to Stewardship Of Wealth Facebook page. The First (10) people who log into the zoom meeting at 5:55pm wins a copy of our “Stewardship Of Wealth – Changing Your Family Tree” book. Zoom ID 9519983263 Pass Code RP443

Prayer of blessings: Lord help us to stay faithful to You.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host for the Better Husband Father Man Podcast  a hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is the catalyst for the AIIA 2020 Virtual Conference and he is the financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency . 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 Vances have been married well over 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and ten 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

Level III Stewards Practice Saving For the Storms of Life And Pandemics

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 – Work Hard, Have Fun, Save Your Money

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 of Saving For the Storms of Life

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 listen to Melonie Gurley https://youtu.be/GJVovcGiu44 as she shares her story of what happened during a storm in her life. Discover how she was able to overcome her challenges to find solutions and financial peace.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord help us to plan and save wisely for a successful future.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host for the Better Husband Father Man Podcast  a hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is the catalyst for the AIIA 2020 Virtual Conference and he is the financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency . 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 Vances have been married well over 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and ten 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

Giving From A Biblical Prospective

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.

Giving Is Heaven’s Key To Success

Here’s how to start.

• 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.

Developing A Lifestyle of Generosity

People can give more when they 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.

You are invited to make giving a part of your spiritual DNA. Think of creative ways you can be a blessing to others. Gives smiles, hugs, (please wear a mask) and words of encouragement. Begin to pray for God to open your eyes for opportunities to sow into the lives of people within your neighborhood and his kingdom. Make 2021 a year you give the best in you.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord help us to give cheerfully.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host for the Better Husband Father Man Podcast  a hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is the moderator for the AIIA 2020 Virtual Conference and he is the financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency . 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 Vances have been married well over 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook “Stewardship of Wealth”.

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

Love Is Your Greatest Gift And Contentment Is Your Greatest Wealth

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.

Contentment Shines In The Spirit Of Those Who Are Grateful

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. Subscribe to our SOW Video Library on our YouTube channel. We will walk through the IV Levels of Stewardship process step by step.

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

Michael J. Vance is the co-host for the Better Husband Father Man Podcast  a hub for all things; parenting, marriage, and self-improvement. He is the moderator for the AIIA 2020 Virtual Conference and he is the financial & benefit risk manager with Hundley Batts & Associates Insurance Agency . 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 Vances have been married well over 30 years and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama and blog from their workbook “Stewardship of Wealth”.