Increase wealth with stewardship

Interviewee, photo provided/Li Minhua – Interview/Lin Minwen

"Money" is a topic that often appears in the Old and New Testaments; "stewardship" is a familiar word in the church. However, some Christians avoid talking about managing money to avoid being accused of worshiping mammon; some believe that increasing wealth means being a good steward. What is the vision and approach that is in line with God’s will, so that we can not only “increase” the money we are entrusted to manage, but also “promote” the kingdom of God?

In an interview with this magazine, Elder Li Minhua, a senior financial management expert, shared how God equipped her through life experiences, and then put professional knowledge, experience, and understanding of the truth into the service of the kingdom of heaven. The Xin Investment Group she works for is named "Wealth Enhancement".

Difficult experiences shape lives

KRC: Please briefly describe several difficulties you have encountered in your life. How have these experiences shaped who you are today?

Li: There were two particularly difficult periods in my life. The first period was when I was ten years old. After my father died suddenly, my mother was unable to take care of us on her own, so she had to send our younger brothers and sisters, who were eight, four, and three years old, to the then National Military Martyrs’ Correctional Center in Taiwan. I went to visit with my 12-year-old and 15-year-old brothers and sisters, but they didn’t want us to leave, which made me very reluctant to leave. I don’t know where I found the courage at that time, but I expressed my willingness to take the place of my two youngest siblings so that they could return to their mother.

I was a very proud child, but the life in the reformatory was so humble, which was unbearable for me who was just about to enter adolescence. Because of this experience, I am willing to help people who lack self-confidence, such as children from single-parent families and inmates in women's prisons.

I worked part-time during college and received a scholarship to study in the United States when I graduated. In fact, judging from my performance, I could not get this opportunity because the founder of the school valued the balance of morality, intelligence, and physical fitness, and I have many leadership abilities and experiences, which came from the cultivation of group life in the correctional institution. I still remember the dean’s sincere reminder: When standing in front of others, straighten your back and smile.

I myself am a recipient of a scholarship, and my mother also attached great importance to education. This inspired me to later establish the "Lee Xu Yip Mei Scholarship" in memory of my mother to help those in need. Currently, he is also assisting his alma mater’s foundation in raising funds to help future students.

When I was 32 years old, one week before the due date of my second child, I discovered that my husband was having an affair. I was pregnant with my childbirth and drove to the beach in the suburbs of Los Angeles. I wandered on the beach for a long time. At that time, my heart was filled with despair and injustice, and I wanted to just leave. Finally, when my two children were one and three, I became a single mother.

But at this time, Christian friends around me often came to visit me, offering encouragement and companionship. I was lonely and had no faith, but I got to know the Lord Jesus from the gospel camp and learned to rely on God. My children also grew up in God’s loving family. This also allowed me to later help single mothers in different organizations. I believe that God gave me the ability to strengthen people who are in trouble.

Because of these experiences, I learned to cry with those who weep, and I learned to obey God and give back as much as I could.

▲ The difficulties he experienced in life made Li Minhua learn to cry with those who weep, learn to obey God, and help people who are experiencing difficulties wherever he can. The picture shows Li Minhua participating in the service of Taiwan's "English Character Camp".

KRC: How did you get into financial investment?

Li: Honestly speaking, this is God’s guidance. I originally studied business management, a broad and comprehensive business major. I entered the workplace with an MBA degree and worked as a project manager in a bank, but I was laid off. As a single parent, I also have to take care of my mother who has terminal gastric cancer, so I feel very anxious. At that time, I saw that there was a project manager position in the investment trust department. Although my understanding of this field was limited, I didn't even know what "trust" was, so I had to go to the library to look up information. In this way, I attended the interview with prayer and the knowledge I was learning and selling now.

Before going out that day, I told my mother that I was going to have an interview. She smiled. After the four-hour interview, I couldn’t wait to get back to the hospital so I called my brother and asked him to tell my mother that there was great hope. The mother smiled when she heard it and left.

I was very grateful when I got this job. I never thought that unemployment would be an opportunity to change careers. After that, he worked in a larger bank and started his own business in 1996. The company's business gradually improved. In addition to individual customers, it also manages investment accounts of companies and institutions. In the past few decades, we have experienced many huge changes such as unemployment, starting a business, being unemployed again, and starting a new business again, but there are also unimaginable things happening. Since God led me into this field after prayer, I will obey and rely on it, and will not be shaken by changes or be tempted into other industries.

Looking back on my career, I deeply feel that God has held me in my arms, walking through this path filled with grease.

Good stewards connect with God

KRC: How does your major help in ministry?

Li: Because I am sure that God has led me into this profession, I will try my best to do it well. Professionalism has taught me that time is the greatest capital given by God; financial management requires careful understanding and correct use of tools. As long as you use the right tools, you can eventually achieve financial freedom over time. I see how important my job is to an individual’s family.

Serving as a financial deacon in a church has made me think about how to manage the resources of the "house of God"; using short-term tools for the short term and long-term tools for the long term. It is appropriate to be cautious and fearful. After all, the money comes from believers’ donations and is to be used for the kingdom of God. If the money that is to be used for the long-term work of the kingdom of heaven is kept in cash without active management or growth mechanism, and the interest rate cannot keep up with inflation, it will be the same as the steward who buried the money in the ground in Jesus' parable of the talents.

When I served as a director of a regional church association, I gradually convinced pastors to allocate a little money for long-term investment and understand the importance of long-term planning, even if they were initially reluctant to talk about money. Now I also assist some gospel organizations and seminaries in investment management.

God has equipped me in the field of investment and financial management so that I can serve His kingdom.

KRC: What is God’s approach to financial management?

Li: I think many people expect financial freedom. But what exactly is financial freedom? Is it because I don’t need to work, or do I have enough money in my account to meet my daily needs?

The assets under management of my entire company are about 70 billion US dollars, and the assets of individual clients are at least 1 million and the highest is 350 million; there are too many rich people. I have been to a friend's mansion with a 180-degree sea view. It is absolutely magnificent, and the faucets are all made of pure gold. Ironically, the friend cried throughout the two hours of the discussion.

This gave me a deep impression - the number in the account cannot guarantee or represent financial freedom. It depends on whether you really have freedom in your heart. With the indwelling Holy Spirit, you can do your job as a steward, knowing that God will take care of you, not worrying about how much money you have in your account, and not being tied to money. This is true and lasting freedom.

Some Christians may say that they have no money to donate, that they feel it is not enough, and that they feel insecure. The final analysis is that we do not know God enough and have insufficient faith. There are also many people who are unwilling to talk about money, as if this is unspiritual. There are over 2,300 verses in the Bible related to money. I even think that Christians should not only talk about money, but also talk about it in depth; let the Holy Spirit teach us to understand and satisfy God’s will in terms of money and all aspects of management. When we become good children, how can God’s blessing not be manifested in our lives?

KRC: How can such concepts and attitudes be used in Kingdom service?

Li: God entrusts us with money and life; He is the one who rewards and He is the one who takes away. We should also obey God, and He will slowly provide more services, allowing us to truly experience "Be faithful over a few things, and I will make you ruler over many things."

When I first started working as a financial deacon in a church, I encountered a challenge—professionally, I helped clients manage their money, but the church had no money, so how could it manage it? At that time, in order to repay the church building loan, the church had to pay US$10,000 in interest every month. Would it be a better use of the money to hire preachers? What to do? I prayed earnestly in front of my computer.

At that moment, the Holy Spirit fell, like an electric shock. I clearly understood God’s revelation: 3.3 years later, before Easter, the 800,000 loan will be paid off. impossible! I said to God. The donations received by the church are not enough for daily expenses, and the church is in deficit every year. How can it be possible to have enough money to repay the loan?

God's will is so clear. I started to draw up a repayment plan and prepare to report to the Board of Governors. Until then, bring this sacred experience to a fasting and prayer group and pray for spiritual discernment—is it your crazy idea, or is it really God’s will? Even though I didn’t fully understand the church’s finances, my prayer co-workers still worked together to encourage and affirm me.

After reporting to the executive committee, more than 20 people present unanimously agreed to pay off the loan in 3.3 years. I first borrowed money from the association to reduce the interest burden, and then reported to the congregation how many people and how much money would be needed to pay it off within the time limit. In the absence of large donations, I often declare before God: This is the seal given by You, and You will definitely be responsible to the end.

At the end of the third year, there is still a balance of 30,000 yuan. At that time, the car used by the church to pick up the elderly always broke down, and gas leaked from the kitchen stove. These were top priorities. When the board of directors was discussing how to use the 30,000 yuan donation received from the Chinese school, the pastor asked: How much is left on the loan? As soon as I heard the word "loan", I burst into tears. The church still has so many urgent expenses to pay, and I can’t even think about repaying them.

Unexpectedly, the pastors and deacons unanimously agreed to use the 30,000 yuan to pay off the loan. What was even more unexpected was that the church had a surplus that year, repaired the stove, and received a special donation to buy a new car. The loan will be paid off every other year, just as God revealed 3.3 years ago.

Thank God, my faith has greatly increased since then. Through this experience, I learned a “life mentor”——COACH:

Ccatch vision (receive vision);

Obey (submit);

Aaffiliate with God (connect with God);

Confirmation(confirmation);

Halleluiah (praise the Lord).

KRC: What is good stewardship? In addition to finances, in what other areas can Christians invest in management?

Li: God requires good stewards to be kind, loyal, and knowledgeable, and He has given us such qualities. So how to do it? I believe that the first is to recognize God’s sovereignty; the second is to understand God’s commands; the third is to learn to manage God’s resources; and the fourth is to please God.

Whether it is work in the workplace or serving the kingdom, God’s intention for a good steward is: to do the job at hand with all his heart, not to be lazy (work hard); to save when possible, to use when necessary, not to waste (save more); not to let go If the existing resources are idle, use appropriate investment tools (invest intelligently); be willing to donate and share resources, bless others with what God has given, and give generously.

God has given humans the sovereignty to manage money. For Christians, the purpose of financial management is not to make money, but to manage it well, not speculate, and let money truly glorify God and benefit others. Investment is not limited to money; time and talent are also valuable resources. The prerequisite is to seek and understand God’s will and obey Him. This will satisfy His heart and become a steward who pleases the Lord.

In fact, all the assets God has given us need to be treated with a good stewardship mentality, such as our body, time, and relationships at all levels including parents and children, workplace colleagues, church members, etc.

KRC: Most people always talk about “increase” when it comes to wealth, but your company is called “enhancement”. What's the difference between the two? How can “increased” wealth be “promoted” to the kingdom of God?

Li: In fact, "enhancement" is the real purpose of financial management. As long as you use the right tools and reduce risks, your wealth will increase over time. Let the increased wealth help us realize the vision given by God, glorify Him and benefit others. This is growth and the true meaning of wealth.

When a person is so poor that all he has left is money, what is the point of all this wealth? If money increases, in addition to making us financially free, we can also help those in need and expand the kingdom of God. What a glory it is when you and I satisfy His will and live out the ways of God’s children!

The apostle Paul said he knew how to be abased and how to abound. Can we also have such understanding and confidence in God? If people only use money for their own enjoyment, how much can they use it? I remember that when I went on a short-term mission trip, I did not choose to "enjoy" it by myself in the first class cabin. Instead, I took a few co-workers with me and talked and laughed in the economy class cabin, so that more people could have a missionary experience and their lives would be built. Wouldn't it be more interesting and meaningful?

If a person does not have the thickness of life, his life will be like this. When we experience God in good times and bad, understand His will, and enjoy His riches, life becomes broader and deeper.

KRC: Please share a memorable story from a professional experience.

Li: I am a single mother with two children and have no financial backing. Why should I start a business? However, the opportunity to start a business is also a miracle.

I remember that I was a senior executive in a multinational bank and was responsible for business on the West Coast and Asia. Many of my clients were CEOs in the financial and business sectors. This was considered the peak of my career. The schedule was full that day, with breakfast meetings and lunch meetings scheduled, and I also had to give briefings and receive clients in the afternoon and evening...

I received a call from the UK during lunch, and the head office announced: My entire group has been disbanded. In a restaurant on the highest floor in downtown Los Angeles, with bright sunlight outside the window, my world seemed to collapse in an instant and fall into a black hole. I apologized to the customer and immediately went to the bathroom to cry out to God: What should I do? Will you meet the next clients? And I didn’t tell my colleagues about the head office’s decision until I completed all the trips. They couldn’t believe how calm I could be.

Calm down, what should you tell your customers next? How to accommodate colleagues who have also lost their jobs? I considered all the possibilities in my mind. Many people prayed for me, and I also asked God to close the door to any job I shouldn’t go to. Recalling that I had received an offer from another bank, I might be able to go back to that job. I called and the other party readily agreed. However, when he called again, I missed it three times in a row. For someone who is eager to find a job and is always careful, this is incredible. At that moment, I suddenly realized that God was going to close this door.

If you fail to find a job, the last option is to start a business. I asked God for confirmation again. Due to strict government requirements, generally setting up an investment company requires money and time to hire a lawyer to fill in various forms. Under financial pressure, my entrepreneurial partner and I came on our own and did not understand the questions on the form, so we had to call to ask. The person who answered the phone stuttered and spoke slowly, so I became bolder and asked a lot of stupid questions, and he answered patiently. Unexpectedly, the application was approved within a month, and the signature was actually the gentleman who answered the questions on the phone.

I wrote a special thank you note to him. After a while, I received a reply from his wife and found out that he passed away not long after he passed the application procedures of our company.

When I started my business, I prayed when I contacted my past clients, and they gave me affirmation and encouragement. This made me understand that it was entirely God’s gracious guidance and provision. How could I not be grateful?

I believe that success does not come in the future, but is accumulated continuously from the moment you decide to do it. My experiences in life have taught me that only walking in the way of God is the most stable thing. In fact, all experiences in life are God’s preparation. The good reputation given by God also provides a platform. Therefore, we are also obliged to preach God’s deeds to others so that He can be glorified and people can benefit.

Christians all know that they need to be good stewards, and many are willing to use their increased wealth to advance the kingdom of God. I hope more people will know the beliefs God has taught me:

The purpose of financial management is to glorify God and benefit others; the purpose of earning money is to fulfill God's will; the purpose of life is to be a faithful steward; the definition of success is to be faithful and reliable, and to invest treasure that will not go bad.

Interviewee profile, Li Minhua(Mindy Ying)

Elder, a senior investment and financial management expert, has served as a senior executive, president, and founder of a number of banking and investment groups. Currently serves as the executive director, senior vice president and financial advisor of Wealth Enhancement Group, which manages US$71.7 billion in assets. In 2022, she won the Hua Crown Award from the World Chinese Business Women's Association and the Golden Crown Award from the Southern California Chinese Business Women. In 2023, she won the Career Excellence Award for the Women in Wealth Management Awards. Elder Man Wah also devotes her professional gifts to serve many churches, seminaries, gospel organizations, and communities faithfully all year round.