June 2019 E-newsletter

God's Miscalculated Paycheck?

With a face of anger, the wife threw the money at her husband, shocking our literature evangelist and embarrassing her husband.

Our story starts when the literature evangelist Tim arrived at a modest trailer near Cleveland, Tennessee, where Chris, his wife and two children lived. Chris expressed interest in the Bible Reference Library which they felt would help their Spiritual growth. Learning the full cost and the $63.00 deposit, they asked if Tim would come back in a month. Tim expressed the value and blessings they would receive from the books, encouraging them with Matthew 6:33: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Chris looked at his wife stating, "Maybe we could give the deposit when I get my next paycheck" asking Tim to come back on Friday. When Tim came to pick up the deposit Chris's wife lamented, "Are you still going ahead with this thing?" Chris confirmed, "Yes, I told you we were going to do it." Storming out and then returning, she threw the money at him. Embarrassed, Chris apologized for his wife's behavior explaining that when he received his check, they had taken out a deduction leaving him only $69. Learning of this his wife became angry and felt that with all their expenses they could not afford to give the deposit.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Tim offered to return when things were better. Chris turned to Tim, looking straight into his eyes, and stated, "You showed me in the Bible where it said, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God… and all these things shall be added unto you.' My wife doesn't believe but I believe it, so here's my deposit." Hearing this firm belief in God's promises, Tim humbly left praising God for the faith that was bestowed on this man and for the lesson in faith that He had taught Tim.

Several weeks later, Tim was invited him to this couple's home again. Once there Chris told this incredible story. "After you left, at work I decided to ask for an advance in order to help us through the week. In response, I was told there had been a mistake and money had been deducted from my paycheck incorrectly; in addition funds had been taken for several previous weeks. I was immediately reimbursed a total of $375."

Chris was convinced that if he had not taken God at His word by giving the deposit, he wouldn't have gone to ask for an advance and the mistake may not have been discovered. The family believes now more than ever that God's promises are real. Praise God for miscalculated paychecks.

Has your faith been tested lately? God's powerful promises hold true today, just like they did for Chris and his family. Your AMAZING support of God's work here in YOUR Conference through ministries like Literature Evangelism helps to reach people who need to hear the Gospel. The work is far from finished, together we are making a difference. This is just another one of God's Amazing Stories here in the Georgia-Cumberland Conference.