Tag Archives: black-money

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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Have You Made Saving A Priority?

Posted on July 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

Walking in God’s Favor: The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets. Proverbs 21:20 TLB

 The Struggle to Save

Many of you only dream of saving money. Here’s a quick snapshot of America’s finances. The Wall Street Journal indicates that 70% of all Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. The Oprah Winfrey Show indicated on an online survey that 70% of responders has no savings anywhere. You almost have to pull a gun on Americans to get them to save.

Preparing For The Storms of Life

We have learned in Financial Peace University (3) key reasons to save money; for emergencies, for purchases and to build wealth. With Ardella and I having careers in the academic and risk management arena for over 25 years, we label emergencies in 5 categories we call the 5 storms of life or the 5D’s.

1Disasters – Car accidents, weather related perils, any unexpected incidents.

2Disability – Any physical condition that prevents your daily living activities.

3Downsized – Loss of employment, bankruptcy or divorce.

4Death – The loss of a person who contributes to your financial well being

5Deployment- Active& reserve military called to serve 6 or more months away

If you want to become a faithful steward you must begin the process of saving money. Moving to a higher level of stewardship requires dedication, discipline and diligence. Living the life of surplus and overflow takes wisdom.

If You Are Saving, You Are Succeeding.

Many of you have struggled so long in your financial lives you get comfortable with a life of stability. Now is not the time to rest, keep moving. There is so much God have for you to learn, experience and become. You must choose to make saving a top priority. The choice can change your family tree.

Prayer of Blessing: Lord, help us to become savers.

Michael J. Vance is the co-host of a 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 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 Pathfinder Club, a global organization empowered to teach life and leadership skills to young people. The Vance’s have been married well over four 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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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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Do You Believe It’s Okay for You To Become Wealthy?

Posted on May 15, 2025 | Leave a comment

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”.

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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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