Tag Archives: black-family

Do You Love God or Only The Blessings God Gives?

Posted on October 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

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 LIVE Facebook Empowerment Session, Sunday 5pm November 16, 2025.

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 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”.

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Do you borrow money to maintain a lifestyle above your means?

Posted on September 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

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

Creating Wealth Starts By Eliminating All Possible Debts

We believe overcoming financial bondage is one of the greatest struggles for those of 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.

Some People Go Into Debt, Just To Keep Up With People Already In 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.

The Borrower Is A Slave To The Lender

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.

You are invited to listen with our SOW Community to our Facebook LIVE Stream Sunday 3pm November 16th 2025. Our empowerment session will center a round life lessons for saving money, creating wealth, and developing financial discipline.

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

Michael J. Vance is the founder of Stewardship Of Wealth.com and a 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 Vance’s have been married over 4 decades and share their lives with four adult children and ten grandchildren. They currently reside in one of fast growing economies in the United States the “Rocket City” Huntsville Alabama, and blog from their Stewardship Of Wealth financial guide “Changing Your Family Tree”.

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How Do You Define Wealth?

Posted on June 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

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. Ecclesiastes 5:19 TLB

Wealth is having more then you need, and wanting less than you have.

Our definition of wealth is holistic and different than most people. We define wealth as certain things money cannot buy such as good health, loving relationships, peace of mind, creative abilities, wisdom, freedom and a spirit-led life.

Having a fat bank account,  strong investment portfolio, or family trust fund, doesn’t necessary mean you are truly wealthy. If you have a million dollars net worth and you are always worrying about losing it or someone trying to scam your money, you aren’t truly wealthy.  You have a scarcity mentality.

You can truly only enjoy your wealth, if you are in good health.

The first truly wealthy person I was able to observe up close and personal over the years was Ardella’s father the late Howard T. Williams. This barrel chest, quick to laugh man was always willing to share a smile and words of wisdom with anyone who crossed his path.

Mr. Williams was a loyal employee for  Chrysler Corporation for 32 years and valued long-term relationships. He was married to the same woman for 42 years. He gave back to his community by serving as a member of the Detroit School Board for 13 years.

Mr. Williams saved money in a college fund for all (5) of his children.  Paid off his home mortgage early, avoided debt & credit cards, and had an emergency fund for the unexpected. On the day of his death Mr. Williams had a will and his burial arrangements in place. He was a man ahead of his times and a great example to me of personal stewardship.

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.

In the world’s economy it says wealth is measured primary by material possessions and the things money can buy. In God’s economy true wealth is measure by certain things you cannot necessarily see and by certain things you cannot necessarily buy.

Prayer of Blessings: Lord, give us health to obtain true wealth.Michael J. Vance 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 Vance’s have been married over 40 years and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren. The Vance’s blog from their workbook “Stewardship Of Wealth: 8 Life Lessons That Can Change Your Family Tree”.

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Are You A Generous Giver?

Posted on April 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

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

To The Level IV Stewardship Greatness Is In What They Give, Not In What They Have

As we celebrate the life of a Level IV Steward this month, we shine the spotlight on Level IV Stewards who are positive rays of hope by giving their time, encouragement, wisdom and financial resources to others in their communities.

Among my family of orgin (Michael), our sister Vonseal’s life illuminated a spirit of hope. If you had big dreams or goals, she would become your biggest cheerleader. Even when others gave up on you, Vonseal continued to pour love, encouragement, and wisdom into you. She was a generous giver.

It has been ten years, since the passing of our dear sister. I can personally say, having Vonseal as a sibling was a tremendous blessing in my life. She supported and encouraged me (as a young punk kid) to become the first male in our family to graduate high school, the first person in our family to earn a college degree and first person in our family to serve in the the armed forces in United States Navy.

She was a tremendous blessing to our family, to a community of friends, and the world is a better place because she passed through it. Vonseal was a generous giver of her financially resources and time.  She was a generous giver of her love and hope to her family and friends.

When You Give Hope, Anything Is Possible

In our book  “Stewardship of Wealth” we describe Level IV Stewards as generous givers. They are generous in giving of their time, they are generous in sharing of their talents, and they are generous in giving of their financial resources. Many of you have people in your lives or know someone who embodies the spirit of generous giving.

Ardella and I can personally acknowledge, whatever we give generously 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”. We are passionate about sharing our Financial Peace journey with meaningful others.

Give More To The World, Than The World Gives To You

Level IV stewards are not only generous 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 because of your love for God, He pours His favor all over your life. If you are seeking God’s favor all over your life, begin giving generously from a place of love.

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

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

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  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 4 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

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Do You Borrow Money To Maintain A Lifestyle Above Your Means?

Posted on March 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

Walking In God’s Favor: Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. Romans 13:8 (MSG)

Debt is the slavery of the free

We believe overcoming financial bondage is one of the greatest struggles for anyone 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 yourself 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 wounded-ness.

Many of you do not see anything wrong with living in debt. The more I can borrow the better. I 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.

Every debt paid is an automatic pay raise

Initially I felt debt was a good thing; just a financial tool. It allowed me to obtain things I felt I needed  now and I 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.

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 ourselves in financial bondage with little or no hope of ever experiencing financial freedom again.

Freedom from debt is worth any amount you can earn.

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.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, help us to be wise with money.

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  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 Vances have been married well over four decades and share their lives with four adult children and ten exceptional grandchildren and two sweet great grandchildren. They currently reside in Huntsville “The Rocket CIty” and blog from their workbook “Stewardship of Wealth”.

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Have You Forgiven Those Who Have Taken Advantage of You?

Posted on January 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

Walking in God’s Favor: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

When Deep Inury Is Done To Us, We Never Recover Until We Forgive

In our society people will take advantage of your trust. They will scheme, swindle and fraudulently go after your wealth. People like Bernard Madoff, who perpetrated over a 50-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme have made money their God. They have no problem ripping you off, if it puts money into their pockets. They knowingly take advantage of their influence, power, and wealth.

Mistakes Are Forgivable If One Has the Courage to Admit Them

We agree with Martin Luther King Jr. “Forgiveness is not a occasional act, it is a constant attitude” 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.

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

Forgiveness is not an 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.

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  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 4 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”.

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