What if everything you've been through was preparing you for something greater?

Some people have stories that make you wonder how they made it through. My guest, Kelly James, is one of those people.

In this episode of the Wealth is a Journey Podcast, Kelly shares a powerful journey filled with challenges, life-changing moments, difficult decisions, and opportunities that he never could have imagined.

There were moments when his life could have taken a completely different direction. But looking back, Kelly recognizes that God had His hand on his life, even when he couldn't see it.

Today, Kelly is using his experiences and knowledge to help entrepreneurs increase their income by developing one of the most important skills in business: sales.

But this conversation is about much more than making money.

We talk about faith, purpose, personal growth, overcoming your past, and what happens when you stop allowing where you came from to determine where you're going.

Sometimes you don't understand why God brought you through something until you discover what He brought you through it for.

This is a conversation you don't want to miss!

Connect with Kelly James:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyjamessales

Want help improving your sales skills and increasing your income?

Kelly is offering free introductory sales help to get you started.

Call or text Kelly: 346-239-4204

How many times have you said, “If I made more money, I would be able to get ahead financially”?

But here's a question: If you're not managing the money you have today, what makes you think you'll manage more money differently tomorrow?

In Luke 16:10, the Bible teaches us that whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.

In this episode of the Wealth is a Journey Podcast, I challenge you to take an honest look at how you're managing what you already have.

Many people believe they need a bigger paycheck to start building wealth. But the truth is, the habits you develop with $50 are often the same habits you'll carry into managing $5,000.

I share how my wife and I began our journey toward financial freedom with the money we had. We started working toward paying off our mortgage in 2016, and today our home is paid for. I also share how I built my position in SCHD by purchasing a few shares at a time instead of waiting until I had thousands of dollars to invest.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

• Why being faithful with little matters when building wealth
• How small financial decisions can create big results over time
• Why making more money doesn't automatically solve financial problems
• The importance of budgeting and paying attention to your expenses
• How consistency helped us eliminate debt and build investments
• Why you need to appreciate and manage what you have before asking for more

Sometimes we're so focused on what we don't have that we fail to recognize what we can accomplish with what's already in our hands.

The question isn't just how much money you're making. It's what you're doing with the money you have.

If you're ready to take control of your finances, visit www.wealthisajourney.com for free budgeting resources or to schedule a free financial coaching call.

Remember: Believe. Plan. Execute.

#PersonalFinance #MoneyManagement #BuildingWealth #FinancialLiteracy #BiblicalStewardship #MoneyMindset #WealthIsAJourney

A few weeks ago, one of my tenants told me they were moving out.

My first thought was, “How am I going to continue investing the way I’ve been if they leave?”

But then I remembered the principles we’ve been talking about over the last several episodes: gratitude, faith, controlling your thoughts, and refusing to let fear dictate your next move.

Instead of focusing on what I was losing, I started speaking about what I was grateful for and moving forward like things were going to work out.

Less than two weeks later, I had another tenant ready to move in — and they paid a month in advance.

In Episode 188 of the Wealth is a Journey Podcast, I talk about what this experience taught me about setbacks, gratitude, faith, and trusting that one closed door doesn’t mean the journey is over.

Sometimes the thing that looks like a financial setback is simply a transition.

The question is: How will you respond while you’re waiting to see what happens next?

Stay grateful. Watch your thoughts. Keep moving forward.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

#wealth #realestate #finance

What if, instead of reaching for a credit card every time a major expense comes up, you could use your own money—and then pay yourself back?

In this episode of the Wealth is a Journey Podcast, I’m talking about what it means to be your own bank.

My wife and I recently needed new carpet in our home. Instead of putting it on a credit card and creating another monthly payment with interest, we used money from our savings. Then, through our monthly budget, we began putting that money back into our savings—essentially paying ourselves back.

That didn’t happen overnight. It came from intentionally reducing expenses, building savings, and creating room in our budget.

I’ll talk about:

- Why your budget is about more than just paying bills

- How reducing expenses can create financial breathing room

- Why building savings can reduce your dependence on credit cards

- How we “borrowed” from ourselves and paid ourselves back

- Why your money should eventually be working for you—not constantly going toward debt and interest

You may not be in a position to do this today, and that’s okay. The goal is to start building the financial habits that can put you in that position in the future.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

Most people would say they don’t want to be poor—but wanting more financially and knowing how to get there are two different things.

In this episode, I break down a few simple steps that can put you on the road toward becoming a millionaire. Building wealth isn’t necessarily about making a huge income. It starts with changing what you believe is possible, being willing to adjust your plan, and understanding the importance of ownership.

I talk about why my desire to change my financial future became the starting point, why budgeting and reducing expenses allowed me to invest more of my income, and why owning assets is so important when building your net worth.

We’ll focus on three areas:

• Desire & Belief — believing a different financial future is possible

• Be Open to How It Happens — reduce expenses, budget your money, and create room to invest

• Ownership — build assets and understand that becoming a millionaire is about net worth, not just income

You don’t have to have everything figured out today. Start with what you have, make intentional decisions with your money, and keep moving forward.

Remember: a millionaire isn’t necessarily someone who earns $1 million a year. It’s someone whose assets minus liabilities equal at least $1 million.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

What did I do differently to change the financial direction of my family?

Growing up, I always had a desire for more. I remember seeing other kids with the cars, clothes, and things I wanted and believing that one day I could have those things too. God blessed me with a strong work ethic, and eventually I was able to afford many of them.

But somewhere along my journey, I had a wake-up call: looking successful and building wealth are two completely different things.

Generations of families can remain financially stuck simply because no one was taught how the financial system works. Once we learn better, we have an opportunity to do something different.

In Episode 185 of the Wealth is a Journey Podcast, I talk about my transition from spending money to enjoy the moment to intentionally using money to build generational wealth. And it doesn't stop with us. We have to teach our children what we learned so they don't have to figure everything out on their own.

The goal isn't just to change your life.

It's to change what your children start with.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

Sometimes the hardest part of changing your financial situation isn’t knowing what to do—it’s believing that your situation can actually change.

In Episode 184 of the Wealth is a Journey Podcast, I talk about some of the things that can keep us financially stuck: our mindset, the people around us, what we constantly listen to, and the belief that the life we want is out of reach.

Growing up without much can make it easy to look at what other people have and wonder, “Why can’t I have that?” But instead of allowing that feeling to discourage you, you can use it as motivation to change your direction.

In this episode, we talk about changing your mindset, taking inventory of the people around you, being intentional about what you allow into your mind, and continuing to build your faith for a better financial future.

Your current financial situation doesn’t have to be your final financial situation.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

If you’re unhappy with your financial situation, waiting for things to magically get better isn’t going to change anything. At some point, you have to decide that it’s time to move.

In Episode 183 of the Wealth is a Journey Podcast, I’m breaking down 3 simple steps to help you start moving toward financial freedom without overwhelming yourself:

1. Locate where you are — Take an honest look at your current financial situation.

2. Identify where you want to go — Debt free? More savings? Investing? Financial freedom? Define the destination.

3. Find out what you have left — Write down your monthly income and expenses and see exactly how much money you have left each month.

You don’t have to fix everything today. You just have to stop ignoring where you are and take the first step.

Your finances won’t fix themselves. It’s time for your financial wake-up call.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

My wife and I recently celebrated 21 years of marriage, and when I look back at where we started compared to where we are today, we've come a long way.

We didn't come from wealthy backgrounds. We didn't have everything figured out. We had to work, make sacrifices, change the way we thought about money, and learn how to build a life together.

Today, our house is paid off, our son's college is fully funded, we're debt-free, and we're investing for our future. But none of that happened overnight.

In this episode, I talk about some of the things I wish I understood before getting married — especially how important your spouse can be to your financial future.

We talk about having the desire for more, giving each other grace, being willing to change yourself instead of constantly trying to change your spouse, and learning how to adjust when life doesn't go according to plan.

Because when you're married, you're not just choosing someone to spend your life with. You're choosing someone to build your life with.

If you're married, thinking about getting married, or trying to build wealth with your spouse, this episode is for you.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

What does success actually look like? And when does a setback become a failure?

In this episode, I talk about why you have to define success for yourself before you can build a plan to achieve it. For me, financial freedom is part of that definition—but getting there requires more than simply wanting to make more money.

We’ll talk about shifting your mindset, setting goals that actually matter to you, staying focused on your own journey, and understanding that challenges along the way don’t make you a failure.

You haven’t failed just because something didn’t work. You fail when you quit.

If you’ve been feeling stuck financially, discouraged by your progress, or comparing your journey to someone else’s, this episode is for you. You can reassess, make a new plan, and start again.

In Episode 180 of the Wealth Is a Journey Podcast, I'm talking about something that doesn't get discussed enough when it comes to building wealth: the work.

Changing your financial life can be uncomfortable. Creating a budget can be uncomfortable. Cutting expenses can be uncomfortable. Paying off debt instead of spending money on what you want can be uncomfortable.

And that's exactly where many people quit.

Your flesh will always look for the easier option. But if you keep choosing what's comfortable today, you may eventually be forced to live with circumstances you never wanted tomorrow.

I share some of my own experiences, including the work my wife and I had to put in to combine our finances, pay off our house, and change our financial future. I also talk about teaching my son that sometimes you need accountability and discipline before you see the results you're looking for.

The work isn't always fun. The sacrifice isn't always comfortable. But the alternative may cost you a lot more.

Don't give up because it's hard.

Put the work in. Stay consistent. Let the results follow.

Scripture: Romans 12:2

#FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #MoneyMindset #PersonalFinance #Budgeting #DebtFree #ChristianFinance #WealthIsAJourney

Most people don't have a money problem—they have a belief problem.

In this episode, I'm exposing some of the biggest financial lies we've accepted as truth:

• "I just need to make more money."

• "If I had a higher income, all my problems would disappear."

• "I'm waiting on God to bless me financially."

The truth is, wealth isn't created by income alone. It's built through the right beliefs, the right habits, and a plan you consistently follow.

Throughout this series we've talked about relationship with God, wisdom, pride, faith, belief, goals, and planning. Now we're bringing it all together by exposing the mindset that's keeping so many people from becoming financially free.

If your beliefs don't change, your financial future won't change.

In this episode we discuss:

Why making more money isn't the answer.

The financial lies many people believe.

Why professional athletes and lottery winners can still end up broke.

How your mindset determines your financial future.

The importance of beliefs, goals, and having a written financial plan.

Practical steps you can take today to start building wealth.

We've reached the end of our series on how biblical principles can help us build wealth, and I want to leave you with one final thought:

Knowing what to do isn't enough. You have to be willing to do it.

Most people don't struggle because they lack financial information. They struggle because change is uncomfortable. The old habits keep pulling them back to the life they've always known.

Building wealth isn't about staying busy—it's about staying focused.

In this episode, I share the three things every person needs to begin their wealth-building journey:

• Belief – If you don't believe your life can change, it probably won't.
• Goals – Without a destination, your money has nowhere to go.
• A Plan – Your budget isn't meant to restrict you. It's the roadmap that leads you to financial freedom.

If you've ever tried to lose weight, you know your old habits fight to come back. Money works the same way. Your old financial habits will try to pull you back into the life you're trying to leave.

The good news is that every decision you make today can move you closer to the life God has for you.

If this series has encouraged you, share it with someone who is ready to take control of their finances and start building wealth.

📘 Download my FREE Budget Worksheet:

https://wealthisajourney.com

🤝 Join the Wealth Builders Community:

https://wealthisajourney.com

Remember...

Believe. Plan. Execute.

Is the economy making you nervous? Inflation, wars, and uncertainty can cause many people to panic and make emotional financial decisions. But what if this is actually the time to stay focused on your plan instead of your fear?

In Episode 177 of the Wealth is a Journey Podcast, I share why fear is one of the biggest obstacles to building wealth.

If we react out of fear, we often make decisions that set us back financially. But when we have a plan, trust God, and stay disciplined, we put ourselves in a position to build wealth in any economy.

In this episode we discuss:

Why fear leads to poor financial decisions

How having a financial plan brings peace during uncertainty

Why budgeting and an emergency fund reduce financial stress

Practical steps to continue building wealth regardless of what the economy is doing.

Remember: The economy will always change. Your principles shouldn't.

If this episode encouraged you, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs hope during these uncertain times.

📘 Free Budget Worksheet: https://wealthisajourney.com

🤝 Join the Wealth Builders Community: https://wealthisajourney.com

🎙️ New episodes every week.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

#personalfinance #BuildWealth #FaithAndFinance #FinancialFreedom #Budgeting #Investing #MoneyMindset #ChristianFinance #WealthBuilding #WealthIsAJourney

Over the past several weeks we've been talking about how God uses His Word to help us build wealth. We've covered wisdom, pride, faith, belief, and learning to hear His voice.

This week I want to share something personal.

I recently took trades in the stock market that didn't go the way I expected. The interesting part isn't that I lost money—it's that before I entered those trades, I believe God had already shown me the price I should wait for.

Instead of following that instruction, I convinced myself I knew better.

A few days later, the stock dropped to the exact price I believe God had shown me... and then it rallied.

That experience reminded me that God's instructions don't only apply to church—they apply to our finances, our businesses, our investing, and every major decision we make.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has plans to prosper us, but we still have to choose whether we'll follow His direction or our own.

If you're trying to build wealth, don't just ask God to bless your plans. Ask Him for His plan.

If this message encouraged you, I'd love to hear from you.

Comment below:

Have you ever ignored wise advice—or God's direction—and learned from it later?

If you're enjoying this series on how biblical principles can help us build wealth, subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that success isn't just about working harder—it's about following wise instruction.

Believe. Plan. Execute.

Over the past several weeks, we've been talking about how the Bible teaches us to build wealth through wisdom, faith, and obedience.

This week, we're talking about something many people overlook:

The words we speak.

In Mark 11:23–24, Jesus teaches us to believe what we pray for.

In Proverbs 18:21, we're reminded that "death and life are in the power of the tongue."

So here's the question:

Are your words agreeing with what you're believing God for?

Many people say they want financial freedom, but every day they speak defeat:

"I'll always be broke."

"I'll never get out of debt."

"I'm just not good with money."

Eventually, our words begin shaping our mindset, our decisions, and the direction of our lives.

In this episode we discuss:

What Jesus meant in Mark 11:23–24.

Why your words should align with your faith.

How negative self-talk affects financial decisions.

The connection between belief, speech, and action.

Practical ways to start speaking life over your finances.

The goal isn't simply to repeat positive words.

The goal is to align your beliefs, your words, and your actions with the future you're working toward.

When those three line up, you begin living differently.

Join the Journey

If you're ready to take control of your money, build wealth, and grow alongside others who are committed to financial freedom, join the Wealth Builders Community.

🌐 wealthisajourney.com

Question for you

If someone listened to the way you talk about money every day, would they believe you're expecting financial freedom—or expecting more financial struggle?

Leave your answer in the comments.

Over the past several weeks, we've been talking about how biblical principles can change our financial future through wisdom, faith, and a relationship with God.

This week we're talking about one of the biggest enemies of financial freedom:

Fear.

In Luke 8, Jairus came to Jesus believing his daughter would be healed. But before they reached his house, people told him it was too late.

Jesus immediately responded:

"Don't be afraid; only believe."

That same choice confronts us today.

When financial pressure comes, do we respond with faith or fear?

Fear often causes us to make decisions that feel good in the moment but create bigger problems later.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why fear leads to poor financial decisions

• How faith and trust work together

• Why taking on more debt isn't always the solution

• How panic causes us to abandon God's plan

• Why your relationship with God gives you confidence during difficult seasons

• How to recognize when you're acting out of fear instead of wisdom

One lesson I've learned is this:

Fear tells you to react. Faith tells you to trust God and make wise decisions.

If you've been struggling financially, this episode will encourage you to pause, trust God's promises, and choose wisdom over fear.

🔥 Work With Me

If you're ready to build wealth with purpose and accountability, join the Wealth Builders Community.

Together we'll learn how to budget, invest, reduce debt, and build wealth one wise decision at a time.

🌐 wealthisajourney.com

Have you ever believed God for something, only to have life make you question whether it would ever happen?

In Luke 8:40–56, Jairus came to Jesus believing He could heal his daughter. But before Jesus arrived, someone told Jairus it was too late.

His daughter had died.

Jesus' response was simple:

"Don't be afraid; only believe."

That same message applies to our financial lives today.

Many of us begin our wealth-building journey with hope. We create a budget, pay off debt, start investing, and believe things can change.

Then life happens.

Unexpected bills.

Job loss.

Market downturns.

Negative people telling us it will never work.

The question becomes:

Will you continue believing when your circumstances tell you to quit?

In this episode we discuss:

What Luke 8 teaches us about faith and perseverance

Why doubt is one of the biggest obstacles to financial success

How negative voices can derail your goals

Why your current circumstances don't have to determine your future

How belief and consistent action work together to create lasting change

One of the greatest lessons I've learned is this:

Never let temporary setbacks convince you to abandon God's long-term plan for your life.

🔥 Work With Me

If you're ready to stop doubting your financial future and start building wealth with purpose, join the Wealth Builders Accountability Group.

Inside the community we focus on:

Budgeting

Investing

Accountability

Biblical financial principles

Long-term wealth building

🌐 wealthisajourney.com

For the last few weeks, we've been talking about how the Bible can help us build wealth.

But one thing I've learned on my journey is this:

Many times we ask God for the blessing, but ignore the instructions attached to the blessing.

Years ago, I prayed and asked God to help me become wealthy. Looking back now, I realize He answered that prayer — but not by just giving me money.

He gave me wisdom.

He gave me a plan.

He gave me instructions.

And when I started applying biblical principles to my finances, everything started to change.

In this episode of the Wealth Is a Journey Podcast, I talk about how my relationship with God helped me make decisions that changed my family’s financial future.

We discuss:

• Why Proverbs 3:5 changed how I viewed money

• Why God’s wisdom is greater than our own understanding

• How biblical principles helped us pay off our house early

• How we bought our pool without going into debt

• Why budgeting was part of God’s plan for my finances

• Why discipline and obedience create opportunities

• How God blesses us so we can bless others

God may not always give us exactly what we ask for.

Sometimes He gives us something better:

The wisdom and instructions needed to become the person who can handle the blessing.

🔥 Work With Me

If you’re ready to stop hoping your finances change and start building a plan, join the Wealth Builders Accountability Group.

Inside the community we focus on:

• Budgeting with purpose

• Building wealth

• Investing consistently

• Accountability

• Creating better financial habits

🌐 Learn more:

wealthisajourney.com

For the past several weeks, we've been discussing how the Bible can help us build wealth. We've talked about stewardship, pride, wisdom, and the financial principles found in God's Word.

This week, we're taking a deeper look at one of the most well-known verses in Scripture:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." – Proverbs 3:5

In today's world, everyone has an opinion about money. Social media tells us to use debt to build wealth, leverage credit cards, borrow more, and chase the next financial trend.

But what happens when our understanding conflicts with God's wisdom?

In this episode of the Wealth Is a Journey Podcast, I share how I asked God to help me become wealthy—not by handing me money, but by giving me a plan.

That plan included:

• Creating a budget

• Reducing expenses

• Building an emergency fund

• Investing consistently

• Trusting the process

We discuss:

• What Proverbs 3:5 means in our financial lives

• Why trusting God is difficult in a world full of financial noise

• The difference between knowledge, wisdom, and understanding

• Why many financial mistakes come from leaning on our own understanding

• How God often provides a plan before He provides the increase

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is this:

I asked God for wealth, and He gave me a strategy.

The question is: Are we willing to follow it?

🔥 Work With Me

If you're ready to take control of your finances and start building wealth intentionally, join the Wealth Builders Accountability Group.

Inside the community, we focus on:

• Budgeting

• Investing

• Accountability

• Financial Discipline

• Long-Term Wealth Building

🌐 Learn more at:

wealthisajourney.com

🎁 Free Resources

Download free budgeting tools and financial resources:

👉 wealthisajourney.com

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💬 Question:

Looking back on your financial journey, have you been trusting God's plan or leaning on your own understanding?

Let me know in the comments.