A Journey of Generosity

In the first year of Bruce and Princess’ marriage, they sat down on the couch, and Bruce said, “I think we need to file bankruptcy. We’re never going to get out of this debt.” 

Giving With Trust

Bruce had always tithed. As a young boy, he remembers consistently giving one dollar from his ten-dollar allowance. But as Bruce and Princess sat down to discuss the possibility of bankruptcy, God started speaking to their hearts about not just giving, but giving with trust. In the midst of their despair, they didn’t change the amount they gave, but they changed the posture of their hearts. For the first time, giving didn’t feel like a have-to, it felt like a get-to. Their hearts settled into a position of trusting God. 

Over the next few months, Bruce’s business started to explode. And without any natural explanation, they were able to pay off all $40,000 of debt and still have enough left over for a down payment on a house. 

Giving Cheerfully

The second time God taught them a lesson about giving was during COVID-19. They started reading a particular book for Christ Fellowship’s Leadership College. God moved them from giving with trust to giving cheerfully. They began to give offerings above their tithe, and Bruce started carrying around $100 bills in his pocket to be ready to give at gas stations or wherever the Holy Spirit led. During a time when they expected their business to take a downturn, it increased—2019 was their best year, and 2020 was four times better. But they didn’t just experience financial blessings; they grew their family, started experiencing more joy and unity in their marriage than ever before, and began leading their first marriage group. 

Sacrifice and Stewardship

God took Bruce and Princess on a journey from giving with trust to giving cheerfully. But their journey isn’t over yet. God continues to teach them valuable lessons to leave a lasting legacy for their family. As they sit down for budget meetings together, Bruce says, “Stewarding is knowing where every penny comes from and where every penny is going. I used to hate budget meetings, but I’m starting to like them because I know God approves of good stewardship.”  

In addition to stewardship, they’ve also learned how to give sacrificially—it’s not as easy to give when the business has a bad month or year. Some months, Bruce’s business brings in half the revenue of the month prior. In those months, they stand firm in the lessons that God taught them along the way—give with trust, give cheerfully, and continue to be good stewards.

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