Tag Archives: black-love

Do You Believe It’s Okay for You To Become Wealthy?

Walking in God’s Favor: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth and be in health. III John 1:2 KJ

Finding Your “Why”

In his book titled The Reallionaire , Farah Gray, a young African-American man who went from public assistance to become a millionaire by the age of 14, says a reallionaire (a word he created) is someone who has discovered that there is more to money than having money. Understanding that stewardship of wealth is not just about being rich in your pocket-book, but realizing you have to be rich inside too.

I believe and agree with Farah Gray that wealth starts on the inside with a certain way of thinking. It begins with the belief system that governs how we relate to money. There are certain ways of thinking that can help you increase your financial wealth.

Three Steps to Financial Wealth

The first way of thinking is to stop trying to act rich. ” Live Within Your Means.” Living to impress others will only cost you. In the long run trying to keep up with the Jones will eventually result in financial pain and bring you down. Some people who appear to be living prosperous lives, in many instances are in debt up to their eyes balls and have mortgaged their future.

The second way of thinking is to start living on a budget. Spend your money on paper and on purpose before the month begins. Give your money a mission. If you dream of becoming wealthy, create a financial plan to get there. Write it down and look at it often. Remember a dream without a plan is just a hallucination.

The third and final way of thinking that can help you increase your financial wealth is to start counting your blessings. You are wonderfully made in God’s image. If you have life and health, you are blessed. If you have a family and friends, you are blessed. If you have a personal relationship with Christ, you truly are blessed. Learn to be thankful for what you have right now.

Until You Give Your Best, You Will Never Know Your Potential

How we plan for our future, take advantage of opportunities and how we spend our money all begin inside with our thinking. What do you want to become? What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to obtain? Remember, our thoughts direct our actions or inaction. You have the ability to become a better steward of your wealth.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord help us to become wise stewards of our time, talents & money.

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”.

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

Have You Forgiven Those Who Have Taken Advantage of You?

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”.