Tag Archives: wealth

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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Can You Say No To the Person In The Mirror?

Posted on November 15, 2024 | Leave a comment

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 ministry is changing future generations’ mind-set.

When God opens the doors of heaven to pour out financial  blessings on you, spend your money wisely.  Learn to make a plan, give to God, give to yourself, and have some fun. You are invited to our LIVE Stream November 17th & 24th at 3pm. Our SOW team will share financial tips to keep more money in your pockets. Follow link to learn more. https://tinyurl.com/3jve79tb

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 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 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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How Do You Define Wealth?

Posted on September 15, 2024 | 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 like health, you only learn it’s true value when you lose it.

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 co-host of 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 over 40 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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Can You Say No, To The Person In Mirror?

Posted on April 15, 2024 | Leave a comment

Walking In God’s Favor: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 1Corinthians 13:11 NLT

Discipline & self-control helps to develop your character.

Moving from a Level 1 Stewardship life of struggle to Level 2 Stewardship the life of stability is an individual choice. Many of you cannot see yourselves  maturing from Level 1 Stewardship a life of struggle into Level 2 Stewardship a life of  stability; therefore you remain in a life struggle.

Level 2 faithful stewards learn to live on a budget and give their money a mission.  But more importantly, Level 2 faithful stewards are accountable to God. The Level 2 faithful steward has learned to say “no” to the person in the mirror.

Can you say no, to the person in the mirror?

One of the keys that differentiate Level 1 Stewardship the life of struggle from Level 2 Stewardship the life of stability is the will to delay immediate gratification for long-term goals. One sign of spiritual maturity is the will to choose long-term goals over short-term  gain.

I clearly remember our parents teaching us the connection between work and money.  As a kid, they would give my two younger brothers and me money for doing chores like cutting the grass, raking leaves or washing the car.  As soon as I received my money, I would run down to the corner grocery store to spend every penny I had earned on Chinese Sweet & Sours Balls, Red Hots, banana flavored Now & Laters, and my favorite, Hostess Chocolate Twinkies.

My parents would comment how I had holes in my pocket when they observed how quickly I spent my money. They found teachable moments to encourage me to save.  They planted seeds of wisdom like ”Money don’t grow on trees” in my life.  My parents were the first teachers who sowed into my life the importance of work ethics and saving money.

With self-discipline, you increase your possibilities.

My truth is,  even today as an adult I struggle with the desire to spend money I don’t have, to  buy things I don’t  need, to impress people I don’t know.  That desire to spend money grew into an uncontrollable desire to have wealth without going through the process of  developing the discipline necessary to manage wealth.

In order for you to move to Level 2 Stewardship a life of stability you are going to have to go through the process. It’s your choice. You have the ability to become a better steward of your wealth. We are living examples that God will empower your life  to do that which you cannot on your own, do for yourself. Remember keep praying, keep believing, with God all things are possible.

You are invited to listen to our Facebook LIVE Stream Sunday 3pm May 12th. Our discussion will center a round life lessons we learned from our mothers. Our guest panelist is Kia Thornton- Gamble a corporate CPA with 20+ year experience.

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 Huntsville Alabama, and blog from their Stewardship Of Wealth financial guide “Changing Your Family Tree”.

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