Truth in Financial Planning

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10
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Stewardship: What is it and Why is it Important?

Stewardship. You’ve heard the word in church, but do you really know what it means? Let’s take a look at this vitally important concept and how to apply it in your life.

Stewardship Defined

The dictionary defines stewardship as:

1. the position and duties of a steward, a person who acts as the surrogate of another or others, especially by managing property, financial affairs, an estate, etc.

2. the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.

As a Certified Financial Planner™, I have a fiduciary responsibility to do whatever is in the best interest of my clients. You could say that I’m a “steward” of funds they’ve trusted me with – someone who helps them manage their financial affairs.

In a similar way, humanity is to manage God’s resources in a way that glorifies God. It’s not our money, it’s God’s. Therefore, we are all stewards of the wealth that God has entrusted to us.
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Church Financial Education Ministry

You’re a pastor, minister, or church leader who understands the importance of thinking about money from a biblical worldview. But inevitably the question arises: “How can I teach my congregation about money? Will they be receptive?”

Let’s face it . . . money is a somewhat taboo topic in the church. How does one break the ice?

Truth in Financial Planning has a compelling answer.

Your Church + Truth in Financial Planning

Michael Gauthier, a Christian and Certified Financial Planner™ who has worked with families for over 13 years, has organized a Truth in Financial Planning ministry that helps leaders bring biblical financial principles to their congregations. Here are some ways you can get involved:

1. Have Michael speak at your church.

Michael’s presentations to churches include top-notch financial lessons tailored for believers of all ages. At the core of his message are the Three Phases of Giving – a plan that shows believers the importance of tithing, impact giving, and legacy giving.

But it doesn’t end there.

The ministry empowers stewardship by explaining the Three Phases of Wealth, a life-changing plan to help believers:

  • create a budget
  • start an emergency fund
  • get appropriate insurance policies
  • personalize their estate plan
  • pay off consumer debt
  • finish building a large emergency fund
  • start accumulating wealth through investments
  • and strategically structure their income sources in retirement.

Michael is available for speaking across the country. Have him speak one time or bring him back time and time again! Fill out the contact form below to learn more!

My wife and I began working with Michael Gauthier from Truth in Financial Planning, mid-year 2013. The easy-to-understand “phased” approach to financial planning made a lot of sense to us. We are now more confident in our future financial plan – more than ever before. – Steve and Dodie

2. Become a Truth in Financial Planning instructor.

Michael and his team will teach you all the course material you’ll need to minister financial wisdom to your church. You’ll be provided with books and workbooks to grasp the concepts and effectively lead believers. In-person and over-the-phone training is also available.

By becoming an instructor, you’ll be able to:

  • light the path for believers and explain how they can manage their finances well
  • empower stewardship by giving believers a firm financial foundation
  • show your church how to think money issues and overcome them
  • improve church staff members’ finances and encourage them onward
  • and teach financial principles straight from the Bible.

If you love numbers, are involved in your church, and have a passion for helping others create a workable financial game plan, we’re interested in talking with you! Pastors, ministers, church leaders and the like are all welcome. Fill out the contact form below to learn more!

3. Share TruthinFinancialPlanning.com with your church.

TruthinFinancialPlanning.com is an excellent resource for your congregation. Here, you’ll find:

  • free and biblical personal finance articles over at the blog
  • the Three Phases of Giving framework for understanding how to give appropriately given your financial situation
  • the Three Phases of Wealth framework for understanding how to improve your finances
  • upcoming events at churches and other organizations
  • membership opportunities with access to tools such as advanced financial calculators and other materials
  • books and workbooks for in-depth study
  • and much, much more!

You can share TruthinFinancialPlanning.com in your church bulletins, mention it as a resource during messages, or include it as part of a welcome class. Your congregation can stay involved by signing up for our newsletter over at the blog, or liking us on Facebook.

Partner With Truth in Financial Planning

Bring sound, biblical financial advice to your congregation. Partner with us and change lives. We’re here for you – simply fill out the contact form below and we’ll be in touch with you shortly. Thank you and God bless!

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Speaking

MichaelAll financial advice isn’t created equal. Even sound advice can be disorganized and, well, plain overwhelming.

Michael Gauthier, a Certified Financial Planner™, has worked with families and individuals for over 13 years refining his financial planning methodologies based on real life experience.

Now, Michael is ready to share his financial expertise with your church, business, or other organization. He provides dependable financial advice in an easy-to-swallow manner – simply and succinctly.

Whether you’re a pastor looking to grow the strength of your congregation’s financial wellbeing, an employer seeking a healthier workforce, or a community leader wanting strengthen your local economy, Michael delivers a plan anyone can follow.

Topics

Michael’s presentations are chock-full of comprehensive financial strategies to increase wealth and enable stewardship. His Three Phases of Wealth and Three Phases of Giving are frameworks that set the tone of his presentations, enabling audiences to discover goals and next actions leading them to a brighter financial future.

Michael speaks on a number of financial topics, including but not limited to:

  • Leadership
  • Raising financially fit kids
  • Growing your business
  • Market analysis
  • Portfolio strategies
  • Biblical stewardship
  • Wealth building
  • Building a financial foundation
  • Strategic income sources

Testimonials

My wife and I began working with Michael Gauthier from Truth in Financial Planning, mid-year 2013. The easy-to-understand “phased” approach to financial planning made a lot of sense to us. We are now more confident in our future financial plan – more than ever before. – Steve and Dodie

Mike is an excellent example of both substance and style. He presents factual material, supports it well and does it in a professional yet conversational manner. – Brian

The wisdom is astounding! Few things in life have given us more satisfaction than being able to give to fulfill a need. What Mike has laid out is a practical way to accomplish this and see how you can give more as you become wealthier. Outstanding. – Robbie

Learn More

Michael is available for speaking engagements across the country. Simply fill out the form below to learn more about Michael’s speaking services. Please provide as much detail as possible regarding your proposed event, and he’ll be in touch with you promptly.

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Start Here

StartWhether you are new to money management principles or have been interested in personal finance for years: Welcome! Keep reading, this is the perfect place for you.

Managing one’s finances isn’t easy. It takes a tremendous amount of self-discipline coupled with a sound financial education to be a good steward of one’s resources.

Thankfully, Truth in Financial Planning has the resources you need to get a sound financial education and presents this information in an easy-to-understand way that makes your financial goals easier to achieve.

Where Everyone Needs to Start

At Truth in Financial Planning, we have a plan. Think of it as a framework for implementing all the advice you’ll find on our blog.

We call this plan The Three Phases of Wealth. Whether you’re just starting to get your finances in order, or are retired and drawing funds from your nest egg, you’ll find your place somewhere in these three phases.

Let’s briefly take a look at each phase:

Pyramid1. The Foundation Phase

If you have consumer debt, don’t have an emergency fund, haven’t put in place all necessary insurance policies, and haven’t personalized your estate plan, you’ll need to start with the Foundation Phase.

This phase is designed to protect your current lifestyle while helping you find ways to modify it to build a solid financial foundation.

2. The Accumulating Wealth Phase

After you’ve accomplished all the steps in the Foundation Phase, it’s time to start the Accumulating Wealth Phase. Generally speaking, this phase occurs while you’re still working before retirement.

This phase encourages you to preform needs analysis so that you can take the right steps to achieve the retirement of your dreams.

3. The Strategic Income Phase

Once you’ve hit retirement, it’s time for the Strategic Income Phase. In this phase, you’ll work to maintain enough assets throughout the rest of your life to be able to draw income from various sources without running out of money.

This phase allows you to properly use all the wealth you’ve accumulated in the second phase so that you can live the life of your dreams.

If you need help with your finances in any of the three phases, seek the help of a Certified Financial Planner™.

Which phase are you in? Follow the appropriate link in the phase that best represents where you are in your financial plan to learn more.

Top-Notch Financial Services and Resources

Truth in Financial Planning

Truth in Financial Planning doesn’t end with the three phases of wealth. In fact, it’s just beginning.

Blog Articles

Michael Gauthier, CFP® contributes to Truth in Financial Planning using his 13+ years of experience in the financial services industry. Owner and founder of Truth in Financial Planning, Michael has a wealth of experience helping families and individuals meet their wealth-building goals. You’ll find him writing articles for the blog on a regular basis.

In addition, you’ll find more articles from other financial professionals and entrepreneurial types with a focus on their areas of expertise.

Podcast – Coming Soon

The Truth in Financial Planning Podcast with Michael Gauthier, CFP® will be an excellent, informative financial show you can take with you on-the-go. Listen to interviews with other financial experts, entrepreneurs, and captivating guests. It’s sure to give you the boost you need on your commute to work or while doing chores around the house.

Consulting

Sometimes, you need a little bit of advice. Okay, maybe you need some major help. Whatever the case, Truth in Financial Planning is associated with Strategic Income Group, a wealth management company designed to help you accomplish your financial goals.

Visit our Consulting Page for more information on these services designed to take your financial stewardship to the next level.

Connect on Social Media

Connect with us on social media. You’ll get an extra dose of great financial lessons, powerful quotes, and motivational messages to brighten your day. You’ll love it, we promise.

You can find Truth in Financial Planning on Facebook.

Questions?

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us. We’ll get back to you in a jiffy.

Thank you for joining hands with us at Truth in Financial Planning. We’re here for you whenever you need us!

The Three Phases of Giving

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Giving. You know you should do it. But how, how much, and when?

Truth in Financial Planning has a strategy that encourages giving according to your circumstances. We call this the “Three Phases of Giving.”

Why Give?

Before we explain how, how much, and when to give, some of you might be asking the question: why give? Here are just a few of the many reasons to give:

1. God says to honor him with your wealth.

The Bible makes it clear that we are to give. Giving first to God, and then to others.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops . . . . – Proverbs 3:9 NIV

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. – Proverbs 3:27 NIV

Surely, God deserves our praise and honor – and one important way to do that is by giving.

2. It is more blessed to give than receive.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the LORD Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ – Acts 20:35 NIV

We should train ourselves to enjoy giving more than receiving. This is a heart issue. Many times, our attitude toward giving reveals our character – are we thinking of others above ourselves?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves . . . . – Philippians 2:3 NIV

3. Giving changes our perspective on money for the better.

Many attest to how giving changes one’s perspective on money. When you see the fruit of your giving, everything changes: how you spend money, how you conduct your business, and how you spend your time.

Try acting like a good steward, and you’ll soon become one.

The Three Phases of Giving

The Three Phases of Giving corresponds and overlaps with the Three Phases of Wealth. With each phase, you’ll take giving to the next level – in accordance with your financial plan. Here’s how it works . . . .

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1. Tithing (The Foundation Phase)

During the Foundation Phase, you’ll focus your efforts on tithing. Tithing is giving 10% to the Lord, via the church. Build tithing into your budget – at the very top. Make it a priority.

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. – Leviticus 27:30 NIV

At this point, you’re laying the foundation of your finances – creating a budget, saving $1,000 in cash, getting appropriate insurance policies, personalizing your estate plan, paying off all consumer debt, and building an emergency fund. These are essential steps to take care of your household . . . .

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. – 1 Timothy 5:8 NIV

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2. Impact Giving (The Accumulating Wealth Phase)

During the Accumulating Wealth Phase, focus on impact giving. By all means, continue to tithe, but in addition to that look for ministries, charities, and other opportunities where your gift will be a blessing.

Research these opportunities and with much prayer, give where you believe you’ll make the biggest difference in others’ lives.

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. – Proverbs 22:9 NIV

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Luke 6:38 NIV

In this phase, you can start focusing on offerings that extend beyond your tithe. You will have laid your financial foundation, and can now afford to give more.

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3. Legacy Giving (The Strategic Income Phase)

During the Strategic Income Phase, it’s time to prepare for legacy giving. While tithing and giving with impact, get ready to lay down a strong legacy of generosity.

Leave a legacy with your estate – reviewing your living trust and living will.

Prayerfully consider big ways to give, and whenever possible . . . .

. . . when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6:3-4 NIV

Still, remember that your family and loved ones need to be encouraged to give to continue the tradition. One way this can be done is through an inheritance:

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children . . . . – Proverbs 13:22 NIV

Demonstrate for your family how to give, but when giving to strangers and the needy, try to do so anonymously if possible and in a way that gives glory to the Lord.

By the time you reach this phase, you’ll be ready to give more than you imagined at the beginning of your financial journey. Be a tremendous blessing to others, remembering all that the Lord has done for you.

Final Thoughts

The Three Phases of Giving encourages you to gradually increase your giving as you are able. As you move into each phase, you’ll have more income to give away. This is an appropriate and balanced way to practice giving.

You may have heard of the 10/10/80 method of tithing, saving, and spending. Unfortunately, this method falls short by encouraging you save or invest before you really should and limits your future giving. There is no one-size-fits-all financial plan to giving.

However, the Three Phases of Wealth shifts your financial goals depending on your progress, ensuring appropriate allocation of money to all areas of your financial life in the right timing. In conjunction with the Three Phases of Giving, you’ll have a solid financial plan that adjusts to your circumstances.

Once you reach the second and third phases, you’ll have the opportunity to decide the specifics on how much to give:

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Which of the Three Phases of Giving are you in? Start giving today!

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