I recently received a call from a man who wanted to buy me coffee and ask some financial questions. This is not unusual. But his financial question was unusual.
Generally these conversations go like this: “Bruce, help. We are in way over our heads. The economy is bad, we have more month than money, and our financial ship is going down. We are nearing retirement and are in financial trouble. What should we do?”
But this conversation took me by surprise. This man said, “Bruce, I am 62 years old. We have always honored God by giving him the first 10% of our income through our church. We have consistently given above that to a ministry that is dear to our hearts. We have never made a lot of money, but God has provided. We got completely out of debt including our house early in our marriage. This left us with more money than month. We have invested that faithfully in CD’s at our bank. I now have $1,000,000.00 in cash. How should I invest this money in order to be the best steward possible?” As he completed his question, he had a tear running down his face. It was not a sad tear…but a happy tear as he realized how good God had been to him. This man sincerely wanted to be a good steward with this money.
This is a beautiful testimony! Though you may wonder what I told him, that would cause us to miss the great lessons taught through this man of God. Consider the following points. I will call him Joe, but his real identity remains anonymous:
- Joe has never made big money, yet he has $1 million (cash) in the bank.
- Joe never got great returns on his money…he has been investing in certificates of deposit at his local bank. But you do not have to earn great returns if you save consistently over many years.
- Very few financial advisers would approve of Joe’s investing strategy. Yet, Joe is doing just fine.
- Joe defeated debt early in life. This is the key to where he is today. Since he has not had a house payment, car payment, or other debt for years, he has had positive cash flow from which to save and cover the surprise expenses life brings.
- The recent economic downturn in America did not hurt this man’s financial portfolio. He had no money invested in the stock market.
- Joe probably did not do everything right. But he always placed God first financially.
- God has watched over Joe and his family in a remarkable way financially.
- Many people who consider themselves “financially sharp” would probably love to trade places with Joe.
This testimony is an encouraging shot in the arm for us. When Joe gets to heaven, I think God will say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
{ 27 comments }
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Have a great Thanksgiving!
I was very encouraged to read “Joe’s” story. I grew up very poor, but I have never wanted for anything. When I start getting nervous about my financial situation, I just roll up my sleeves and watch God work. Put Him first and He will honor all that you do.
Shirley
What an encouraging article. Thanks for sharing Bruce!
Bruce,
This is an awesome story. I always love hearing about people who’ve put God first in their life. It’s of no surprise God has blessed this man.
Wow, what a great story…the tortoise wins the race again! I love to hear stories like this. This is why I lead Financial Peace University and why I’m planning a career transition into financial services: to help people “be the turtle” and also to help guide people like this man in their desire to be good stewards of God’s provision. Proverbs 21:20!
Wow – what a testimony both to God’s faithfulness in providing our needs and in this family’s faithfulness and obedience to God! Thank you for sharing.
A great message especially for the younger ones, please take heed. It is very tempting to want the materialistic things of this world but you will be rewarded in the end like Joe if you say no and do the right thing – stay out of debt. Thanks Bruce.
Bruce,
I love this testimony! What an awesome opportunity to minister to someone who “got it”! Wow! Thank you for sharing!
What a wonderful testimony to the love of God and following God’s plan. As you continue to instruct all of us through your ministry, getting out of debt and staying out of debt is the only way to live and honor God.
Bruce, we are eternally grateful to God directing us to you and your ministry back in 2003 in Seminole, Tx. What a blessed experience. You remain in our thoughts and prayers on a regular basis.
J. B. and Johnny Douglas
This is a wonderful life story Bruce! I am truly happy for this man and his family. This is a testimony of how giving an honest and faithful tithe will not only show God that he is first in our lives, it also keeps us acutely aware of our own finances. Faithfully keeping track and paying our tithes will keep us engaged in our monthly in-flow and out-flow of income. If we know our financial situation, live within our means and invest prudently, we too can share in the joy of “Joe”. What an incredible side effect of paying tithes and offerings. Who would have thought that tithing to God is the world’s first and best financial planning system. “Joe” knows.
Big lessons in this testimony. When you are faithful with the small things, God will give you more responsibility over large things. And Joe was a faithful steward. Likewise, God is ALWAYS faithful to us…
Great story. Thanks for sharing. Although I’m still young, I look back and wish I had made some better financial choices earlier in life. Now I’m battling the debt monster when I would rather be more free to give more and save. Thanks for the encouragement.
It is not what you make it is what you spend.
There also seems to be a counterintuitive relationship between giving, saving and accumulation of wealth.
Wow! What a testimony. May the Lord bless this man with a million more dollars to invest in God’s work. We have been through the fire, and still don’t have our heads above water, but God is faithful. We have so much to be thankful for. Lately I have been doing a “Gratitude Check”! We have so much more than we deserve.
What a wonderful story. Would it were mine. Keep up the good work.
If we will SEEK HIM…HE will SEEK us
believing Faith + Action = GOD’s Provision
By Persistance the Snail finally arrived at the ARK………SO
Pray like a Snail…as you PULL SLOWLY FORWARD!!!!
WHO DO YOU HAVE PRAYING with you?????
the Prayers of the Righteous availeth MUCH…GET READY for your Miracles.
one of GOD’s Promises…if we will SEEK him….HE will seek us.
so if we have believing faith/ with action…HE is faithful.
BY faith the Snail finally Arrived at the ARK
Thank you for sharing that article. That really inspired me.
Good stuff, Bruce. Starting early is clearly a key. So many people we serve through FPU roll their eyes with a big sigh and say, “I wish I had know all this when I was 20!” Truth is, most of us wouldn’t have listened. The good news is it’s never too late for God to right the ship and get us back to a place where we can honor God with everything we have. The other key to the story is the giving. We know God won’t bless what we are too selfish to share. Great stuff.
We just bought our second car in the last year with cash. No more car payments for us-woo hoo! We’re on a schedule for paying off the house within 5 years. I don’t see a $1 million in the bank anytime soon. But we have way more than we need and we get to give a bunch away. God is good. Can’t wait to see you in Cedar Park on January 10! Nathan
When I got my first job at age 23, my aunt advised me to always do two things immediately: tithe and put aside some money in the bank. When I had a sufficient amount (not a huge amount), find the CD that pays the most, put it in the CD for the longest term allowed, and forget it. I scanned the Wall Street J at work and found banks all over the US, and though I never put foot in any of them, it worked out well. I made sure the amount in any one bank was under wht the FDIC insurance allowed. Over the years, some of the CD were put into stocks. Every time I got a raise at work, I increased the percentge of my tithe. Now at age 73 I am worth 1.1 million, down from 1.3 with the decline in the recent market. My Christian attorney told me once that he feels that my worth is due to the fact that I was faithful in my tithe. I have never paid a penny in finance charges and the only money I ever had to borrow was a bridge loan to buy my “new” house when the company moved me to another state, and as soon as my “old” home was sold, paid off the loan ASAP. Now when I see what offers credit cards make in the way of “rewards”, I never even bother to look to see what percent their finance charges are because I always pay it in full each month. Funny though, my credit rating is not that great (in the 600’s) and they tell me that is because I DO pay off my credit cards each month. Go figure!
It is so true that you cannot outgive God!
Bruce, You could not have known this but this article is an answer to prayer for me. I have been struggling with a decision and this article has given me clarity on which way to go. Thank You Bruce for being a vessel for God to work through to reach His children. I am now freed to follow my passion!
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for sharing the story.I keep telling everyone if they are faithful to God he will take care of them.He has been there big time the last 2 years and I just let him take care of everything. Paula
Very nice to read. Makes you realize how much a small investment will make such a large difference, and that in all things, that’s how God works. If we just invest a little in Him, He will do large things with us.
My grandfather used to say, “If you didn’t spend so much, you wouldn’t have to make so much.” Seems simple, but the statement means that many people have the relationship backward– desire produces expenses which back-pressures income. (“I owe, I owe, it’s off to work I go” bumper sticker). They try to spend less – doesn’t work well. Too much breakthrough spending. The discipline has to be applied at the level of income, because that’s what God supplies. God entrusts us with income to practice stewardship so we can learn order and discipline, which help us to be more like God. “God gave me this new gold-plated robotic thingowiggit.” No, God blessed me with the money; I decided to buy the thingowiggit instead of opening a ROTH IRA, or giving first fruits to the church. That’s why Bruce helps people to be more like God by learning discipline, order, and self-control in the appropriate and spiritually mature use of God’s provisions. Good job, Bruce!
GOD IS GOOD IN SPITE OF WHAT WE DO OR DONT DO.
MY GOD IS AN AWSOME GOD
Wow Mr. Ammons! That is amazing! I have always tried my best to take the FIRST 10% of my money to the church but it dosen’t always work out that way.. But i always keep that money safe until I can take it…. But i have always done it because that is what you are ‘expected’ to do or if you want to be ‘good’ in the eyes of God that is what you do, but recently I have realized that it isn’t about just giving to a church that makes it right it is giving to GOD himself! But up until now that is just my opinion but somehow this story confirms that… Thank you so much for sharing this amazing testomony with us Mr. Ammons
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