"Please fill out the pledge cards."

It was a financial appeal to help support Fr. Ernie Brunelle, a Maryknoll priest visiting from Africa. Instead of a sermon, he told us about his mission work. Pledge five dollars per month. The thought came out of nowhere. I had just started a part-time job after years of being a stay-at-home mom. I had my budget all figured out and knew I did not have five dollars per month – 60 dollars per year – to spare. Fill out out the pledge card for five dollars per month. The thought persisted.

I was confused and tried to figure out where this thought came from by using the process of elimination. It wasn’t the voice of the world. The world would reason, “You already give more than your fair share. You’re far behind in saving for your children’s college. You shouldn’t even be tithing. Think how much five dollars would have grown in ten years if you put it in an IRA. You have responsibilities. And you really need another car. You won’t have enough money if you keep giving it all away.”

It wasn’t the voice of the enemy. The enemy never wants anyone to give anything to anybody at any time. The voice was not mine. Fearful little me didn’t want to give away more money. It was the Lord’s voice. I am one of His sheep and I know His voice.
“Why are you asking me to do this? I tithe! I give to those in need! How much more do I have to give?” I cried in my heart.

Reluctantly, I filled in my name, address, and the five dollar monthly pledge amount. In my head I had already started to refigure my budget to see how I could squeeze out another five dollars. As I put my card in the collection basket, I was not the cheerful giver the Lord loves so much. My only consolation was that my money would help with Father Ernie’s ministry in Africa.
The next morning at work, I was preparing to write the payroll. My employer called me into her office and told me that it was time for the employees’ raises. Together, we went through the list and she indicated the amounts of the raises for each one of them.

I knew I would not be getting a raise since I had only just been hired and was still in my probation period. So when she said “Give yourself a raise,” I was totally surprised. She gave me an amount. When I figured the numbers, the increase amounted to exactly 60 dollars more per month. I was stunned. In one day, the Lord had multiplied my five dollar monthly pledge back to me, times twelve!

From the very beginning of my walk in the Spirit, the Lord has shown me over and over again that He is the God of more-than-enough, the God of multiplication, the God of lavish supply.

Regarding the expenses that I was so concerned about: when I needed a new car, I had enough to buy it, and when my children were ready for college, their financial part had been all worked out.
The words spoken to the Philippians by the Apostle Paul still apply:
“And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, ... no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippans 4:15-19)

You can read this article and more like it in our publication, The Breakthrough Intercessor, located here.