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RECIPROCITY
Can an Act of Faith Change Your Life?
By Andrew Knox
The 700 Club
CBN.com –
“Had I known back before we started to tithe what I know
now, I would have been tithing a long time ago!”
Art and Rene Harrell have learned the value of giving. But just
a few years ago, their giving was, well…
“…It was raggedy. It was raggedy. It was not based
on a percentage. It was not based on the Bible. It was just based
on whatever we felt at the moment. If we felt like giving a $50,
that was a big tithe for us, actually! We thought we were doing
real good. And then there were times we said, 'Well, I’ll
just put this $5 in there. It was pretty bad,” Rene explains.
After retiring from the Air Force, Art started his own furniture
retail business specializing in government contracts. He wanted
God to bless his new company.
“Rene and I had made a covenant with God that we would
tithe."
They expected great blessing. But soon after getting serious
about giving to God, they were shocked when a pipe burst in their
home … and the repairs came with a $10,000 price tag.
“It was like, What? Wait, wait, this does not compute,"
says Rene. "We are finally in line with the Word of God,
and then this happens. This doesn’t compute.”
Art thought there was more to it.
“It was a faith test. God was testing us, saying, 'OK,
you’ve made a covenant with Me, let’s see if you’re
really going to fulfill your covenant.' ”
The insurance company said they were not responsible to cover
any of the Harrell’s expenses.
“I just kept saying, 'God, You said You’d be with
us,' "Rene explains, 'You said You’d be with us.' ”
Besides the $10,000 they needed, business was horrible. They
made only $40 the entire month.
“We wondered, why should we give anymore? This is the result
of giving?”
But their pastor told them to trust God’s Word and give
ten percent of the $40.
“I said, 'Well, what does God need $4 for?' "Rene
questioned. "And he said, 'Just do it. Just be faithful.'
So I said, 'OK, whatever. I'll write my little check out.' I just
couldn’t believe it that God needed $4. And, of course,
He didn’t. He needed me to trust Him. He needed us to trust
Him.”
That act of faith proved vital.
“About two to three weeks later, we received a letter
from the company saying that they would cover and re-plumb the
whole house,” Art explains.
They covered the entire $10,000.
“We look back on it and say, 'God, You really, really
mean what You said -- and You delivered us!' ”
With that crisis behind them, the business was still in dire
straits. Around this time, Rene saw Pat Robertson teach on the
law of reciprocity. The Harrell’s stepped out in faith again,
joining The 700 Club.
And they had a specific request of God -- a large account so
they could compete with bigger companies.
“I said, 'God, I would like to get a contract for $100,000.
By then I don’t think we had ever even had more than a $10,000
contract.”
A few weeks later, the Harrells landed an enormous contract --
furnishing the new federal courthouse in Phoenix.
“The amount was almost four times what I had asked,"
Rene remembers. "We were in awe.”
Art agrees. "It’s a feeling of freedom that I never
had. Before we started tithing, I was always concerned about,
'Where is this going to come from? What am I going to do here?
What am I going to do here?' I don’t care about those things
anymore because I know God will provide.”
Their friends still have trouble believing the secret to their
financial success is to give.
“We’ve had people say, 'Well, how are you guys doing
that?' And we’ll just say we trust God and we pray.' They
say, 'No, but really, how are you doing it?'
"
Art and Rene have discovered a wonderful truth: they cannot out give God! As they are faithful and obedient in their commitment and giving to the Lord’s work, He is more than able to take care of their needs and fulfill their desires. God wants to do that for all His children – including you!
One way you can give to the Lord’s work is through CBN. Not only will you reach thousands each day with a message of truth and hope through The 700 Club, you will also help feed and clothe children around the world, bring medical aid to those suffering and so much more, all in the name of Jesus. Please join with us today.
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
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