Singletary - The power to prosper: 21 days to financial freedom

ZONDERVAN

The Power to Prosper

Copyright 2010 by Michelle Singletary

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ePub Edition December 2009 ISBN: 978-0-310-40646-4

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Singletary, Michelle.

The power to prosper : 21 days to financial freedom / Michelle Singletary.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-310-32038-8 (softcover)

1. Finance, PersonalReligious aspectsChristianity. 2. Finance, PersonalBiblical teaching. I. Title.

HG179.S5144 2009

332.024dc22 2009028364

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, Todays New International Version, TNIV. Copyright 2001, 2005 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The Power to Proper is a practical guide on personal finance. There are no guarantees offered in the 21-day financial fast program. Individual results will vary. Readers are cautioned to undertake the recommendations and assignments with caution, using their own judgment or after seeking professional advice from legal or financial professionals about their individual circumstances. Additionally, certain information such as website addresses may change.

Interior design by Beth Shagene

I dedicate this book to my children,
Monique Olivia, Kevin, and Jillian.
Youve endured countless lessons
and long lectures about money,
sometimes with rolled eyes,
but mostly with good humor.

I pray that you always have
Gods peace in your finances
and in every part of your lives.

I cant begin this book without first giving thanks to God. I know now that even during the times I was down and feeling alone, He was right there carrying me. It was God who allowed me to be placed in the care of my grandmother, Big Mama. And it was my grandmother who taught me to think about money in a way that would someday be a blessing to members of my church, my community, and millions of newspaper readers, radio listeners, and television viewers across the country.

I also thank God for leading me to First Baptist Church of Glenarden. Under the leadership of Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. and his wife, First Lady Trina Jenkins, I have grown tremendously in my faith. It was at First Baptist, and with the encouragement of my pastor and his wife, that I began conducting the 21-day financial fast.

I will forever be grateful and thankful for the members of Prosperity Partners Ministry and for its incredible leadership team. It has been a privilege to serve with the following individuals: Adrienne Alexander, Olivia Baker, Alton Croslin, Deenice Galloway, Min. Angelia Rowe Garner, Trinita McCall, Yolanda Oliver, Michael Rhim, Kiesha SameeUd-Deen, Juanita Ann Waller, and Bethany Williams. This dedicated group has worked hard and diligently to support a ministry that has helped so many to get their financial lives in order. I also want to thank the staff at First Baptist Church of Glenarden (especially the audio visual team) and the many members of my church who together continue to show me unwavering support. In particular, Im grateful for Barbara and Malcolm Streeter, two friends who always have my back.

This book would not have been possible without my wonderful and hardworking agent, Richard Abate. The staff at Zondervan, including Karen Campbell, Courtney Lasater, Becky Philpott, and Marcy Schorsch, has been fantastic. I couldnt have had a better and more thoughtful editor than Sandra L. Vander Zicht. The entire Zondervan team who worked on this book has just been wonderful. This has truly been a team effort.

I am very blessed to work at the Washington Post and with an incredible group of people who have been tremendously supportive of my book endeavors. Im especially appreciative of my research assistant, Charity Brown, and my editors, Steve Levingston and James Hill, and Alan Shearer of the Washington Post Writers Group.

Writing a book often comes with much sacrifice. The friends and family of the author are the ones who make the process easier. So it is with much love that I thank my friends and family, especially Terri and Larry Ames, Alexa Steele, and Wiley Hall. I couldnt have made it through the long nights and lack of sleep without your encouragement. You made me laugh sometimes when all I wanted to do was cry. Thanks to Robin Tarver and Nicole Rochester for letting me vent. One of my biggest fans is my brother, Michael Singletary. I am so blessed to have a brother who is so incredibly enthusiastic about my work. Just as supportive is my extended family, including my mother, sister-in-law, Kim, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Also I wouldnt have had the time to work on the book without the help of my dear sister, Monique Reynolds, and my loving godmother, Lois Thompson, and godsister, Courtney Bethea, who all helped with my children.

I owe so much to my children, Olivia, Kevin, and Jillian, who checked on me and gave me many hugs to encourage me during this project. They even sacrificed several family movie nights so I could work on the book.

Finally, theres my husband, Kevin. I have no doubt that God sent me this wonderful, loving, patient man who pushes me to be a better Christian, wife, mother, and friend. Even more, Im blessed that he has joined me in directing Prosperity Partners. It has been a joy to work alongside a man who has such great love for the Lord and his family.

Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.

Deuteronomy 29:9

God wants you to prosper.

Thats a bold statement, isnt it?

I know some will read that declaration and immediately feel uncomfortable. Theyve come to believe that money is the root of all evil. They believe that those who are poor are more praiseworthy than the wealthy. But the Bible doesnt say that money itself is evil. What it actually says is, For the