Tag Archives: black-finances

Are You A Generous Giver?

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

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

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”.