Buy without money? That’s possible!
Ludo and Vera have a financial covenant with God. Ludo recently shared a number of outcomes from this in their lives, all happening this year.
Ludo walks his dog daily and often has interesting conversations with neighbors during those walks. Early this year, he was walking with his dog alongside his neighbor, who is a self-employed installer of stoves. Ludo mentioned that their stove needed replacement as it was showing signs of cracks. His neighbor told him he had four stoves from people who had bought new ones that he had installed. He took the old but still usable stoves home.
A few weeks after this conversation, his neighbor took Ludo to his house and told him he could pick a stove. “Alright,” said Ludo, “but how much will it cost me?” “For you, it’s free,” said his neighbor. Not only did Ludo receive the stove, but the neighbor also came to install it for free. The new stove fit perfectly with no need for any alterations. His neighbor took the old stove for scrap metal and insulated around the stove to prevent heat loss… all for free!
Not long after, there was the heavy storm on the weekend of March 9th and 10th. Trees were uprooted everywhere. That week, a woman knocked on Ludo and Vera’s door. Ludo answered. She asked, “Are you Ludo?” He confirmed and the woman said that Mr. X in the neighborhood had several trees that had fallen during the storm and asked if he could do anything with them. Ludo went to the given address, and the man there showed him five large trees, around 20 meters long, that had fallen in his garden… Ludo could take them for free. Ludo discussed how he would manage as the garden was difficult to access. The man said they could be sawed onsite by someone else. “Yes, please cut them into 40 cm logs,” Ludo jokingly said, but the man made sure they were cut that way!
His neighbor, with his trailer, went with Ludo to collect everything (for free), and suddenly, Ludo’s garden was full of firewood – free and for nothing!
Even the neighbor across the street had a fallen tree. He hired a company to saw it into pieces. The people from that company asked Ludo if they could place their pieces on his property because there was no room on the street. Ludo agreed. The next day, the neighbor called and said they could have the wood if they wanted it. The municipality sawed part of the leftover pieces on the street and delivered them all to Ludo’s place… completely free!
Ludo had borrowed two chainsaws and was using them to cut the logs into pieces. Due to an accident in 2016, Ludo had lost part of his thumb, pinky, and all of his index, middle, and ring fingers on his left hand (see the testimony in Good News 0519). Working with a heavy chainsaw was not easy for him.
His neighbor saw him working and spontaneously offered his professional electric saw, which was much lighter in weight… completely for free!
During another walk with the dog, Ludo noticed large black slate tiles stacked against the wall of a house. He thought he could use them for his patio. He asked the workers there if they still needed the stones, but they said they weren’t the owners and couldn’t say. About 14 days later, someone knocked on Ludo’s door. He asked if he was the man interested in the slate tiles. Ludo confirmed. The man said that if he could pick them up by Friday, he could have them, completely for free! Ludo’s handy neighbor came with his small bulldozer and picked them up for him… all for free!
Ludo had never laid a patio before; he is a cook by profession. His handy neighbor explained exactly how to measure everything and approach it, lent him his cement mixer, and taught him how to make good concrete. His neighbor even laid the first stone. After that, Ludo got to work himself. In the evening, his neighbor came to check, and he said, “I’m going to hire you, then we can lay floors together.”
On the right side of Ludo and Vera’s house, Ludo wanted to set up a gate. He had an old dog kennel measuring 3 meters and asked his neighbor if he could use it for that. The neighbor confirmed. Ludo said he would need to buy a pole, but the neighbor said they would make it together from two old stove pipes that he welded together and poured with concrete made from leftover cement, sand, and adhesive that he still had. Ludo wanted to reimburse the costs, but he got everything… completely for free!
Then, once again, Ludo was walking with the dog (you would buy such a dog, wouldn’t you!) when he saw someone with a crane digging up sods and dirt in a large container. Ludo asked what they were doing with it. He wanted to raise the ground on the right side of his house as it sloped down and made it difficult to drive in. The man asked where he lived. “Around the corner at number 14,” Ludo said. The man came and deposited 1.5 containers of dirt at Ludo’s house so he could drive in with the car… completely for free.
Not long ago, a daughter-in-law of Ludo and Vera said to them: “You can really do that, can’t you? Buy without money?” That’s true, but only because they have a financial covenant with God… If you’re curious and want to experience something like this, talk to Ludo and Vera!
Unexpected new work
Jan lost his job in May 2016 by mutual agreement with his boss. He could no longer continue his job in the construction sector due to severe back problems. By July 2017, the hernia had become so bad that certain nerves in his right leg were no longer functioning properly. Jan had to undergo emergency back surgery. The rehabilitation went relatively smoothly.
In the fall of 2017, Jan and Ann attended a service in our church. Jan Sjoerd Pasterkamp spoke that morning about the spiritual authority of a man.
He emphasized, among other things, that it is important for a man to work and support his family. At that time, Jan was feeling very discouraged because he had applied for many jobs, but nothing had come of it. The message that Jan Sjoerd delivered spoke deeply to him. More than ever, he longed for a good job! At the end of the service, Jan Sjoerd prayed for the men.
The week after that service, Jan received a phone call from a temp agency. He was invited for an interview, and it went well. It turned out that the interview was for a position in a company where Jan had previously applied without success. After discussions between the temp agency and the company, Jan was allowed to participate in a 6-month training program at that company, in collaboration with the VDAB (Flemish Employment Agency). On April 4 of this year, that contract ended, and Jan immediately received a permanent contract. He now works less than five minutes from home and is very satisfied with his job!
Very specific prayer in authority sometimes makes a big difference
We let Lutgart speak for herself:
“My son’s house had been up for sale for quite a while, since August 2016. According to the realtor, it was an easy sale!
From the moment the house was listed, I placed a note in the prayer box every month asking my Heavenly Papa for a quick sale, the right price, and the right buyers. There was no immediate result, but persistence pays off, so I continued placing it in the prayer box, trusting that it would work out.
However, the sale was delayed, and realtors kept switching after their contracts expired. The last weekend of January this year, 18 months later, the first realtor took over again. He immediately had 18 potential buyers through the door, but only two showed real interest after their visit.
So, I wrote another note, but this time, I suddenly had an inspiration and boldness and wrote: ‘The right offer, this week!’
I placed this prayer in the box on Tuesday, January 30th, and by Friday, February 2nd, the right offer came in, and half an hour later, the agreement was signed! Thank you, Papa!”
My God has more than enough
Arno tells his story himself:
“On the train, I met Salvatore and Renata, an evangelistic couple from Herstal (Wallonia). We spoke about the things of the Lord and also about my ministry. I place painted cardboard cards with messages from God in mailboxes: ‘Seek God and live – Jesus is the way,’ etc.
By the way they spoke about things, I thought they weren’t doing financially very well.
The train wasn’t going to Brussels Central as usual. They would have to get off at Brussels North and take a tram to the center. They wondered if they would have to pay for that themselves…
Compelled by the Spirit, I took a 10-euro note from my wallet and gave it to them. I’ve learned not to argue with God about such things but to obey Him immediately. They were a bit taken aback. I said, ‘Now you can buy a metro ticket and maybe have a coffee too…’. They accepted it.
We talked a bit more, and when the kind and friendly couple left me at Brussels North, Salvatore shook my hand warmly. There was a 100-euro note in it… One hundred euros, really! I barely knew these people, but they are, of course, my brothers and sisters in the Lord.
I gave half of it to my wife and used my share for some snacks on the way. I travel many kilometers every day for the Lord, on foot and by bike, and all the calories are welcome. Coffee, pastry, hamburger, Fanta… it all goes down like sweet cake. Thank You, Lord!
‘Give, and you will receive,’ said Jesus already…
Give much, and you will receive much, more than abundant. For whoever gives much will receive much. Luke 6:38″
Working with God makes a big difference
Liesbeth sent us the following testimony:
“Last September, I changed jobs. When I went to apply, I told them that it was important for me to be able to attend the services on Sunday mornings. Michel and Anja, the owners of Sauna Zensation, where I have been working for a year now, understood this. They asked if I would mind closing the business on Sundays in my workweek, so I could still attend our services. This was already a first miracle for me.
Everyone knows that I don’t hide the fact that I am a child of God. And it didn’t take long.
I was able to pray for a colleague. She had to take her driving test for the third time. I asked her if I could pray for her. She said yes. Even the day before her exam, I got the chance to pray with her. And yes, she passed!
When she came to work afterward, another colleague said, ‘That’s definitely because of Liesbeth’s prayer.’ To which the colleague replied, ‘I didn’t know God does this for unbelievers.’ I simply said, ‘God did this because I, His daughter, asked Him, and because He loves you so much.’ As often happens, there was a thoughtful but also approving silence.
But it didn’t stop there. One day, a colleague who constantly has bad luck with things had another issue. When we were talking about it with Michel, he said, ‘Wouldn’t you go to church with Liesbeth so you can have some good luck?’ How amazing is it when someone else already testifies that God is bringing good things into your life.
Recently, another colleague came downstairs and said, ‘Liesbeth, you HAVE to do something for me.’ ‘Oh, what do I have to do?’ I asked. ‘Pray,’ was the answer. Her best friend has cancer and is very ill. So, we went into the kitchen together with another colleague to pray. I explained that if they agreed with my prayer, they could confirm it with AMEN. I prayed, and the AMEN sounded. Last week, my colleague told me that her friend was back home and getting better. He has hope again, and his healing has begun. Thank You, Papa!
At the beginning of July, I was told that Michel only wants me to work during the day from now on. I no longer have to work on Sundays so I can enjoy my Sundays in church, he said. I have been promoted to supervisor, alongside Mildred, who was already a supervisor.
And when Papa does something, He does it well. Without asking for anything, I received both a phone subscription and a raise.
If this isn’t miracles, then I don’t know what is. Prayers answered, a boss encouraging others to go to church, a promotion after a year with everything included…
Papa does great things for His children. We get to step out in faith and believe that Papa makes everything work for good. What freedom, what a blessing, what a life, what a GOD!!!”
God provides for all our needs!
We recently received the following testimony from Lutgart:
“At the last back-to-school party, Ingrid gave me a CD that I had ordered from her earlier. When I wanted to drive home, I put it into the car’s CD player. The CD was in a plastic translucent case. What I didn’t notice was that there was a post-it stuck on the CD… I thought it was stuck on the case. When the CD slid in, I realized the post-it was on the CD… too late!!
I managed to get the CD out, but the post-it stayed stuck… no sermon then!
On the way home, I prayed the whole way that God would provide a solution to get the CD player working again.
I don’t usually use the radio, but I always listen to sermons… When the grandchildren are in the car, we play Herman Boon’s CDs. They all have their favorite songs and know them by heart. That way, they get quite a bit of the gospel. Their parents aren’t religious and don’t want me to tell them anything, but in my car, I play the music I want!
The next morning, I called the garage. They didn’t give me much hope. Nowadays, everything is built in with the GPS, and if something goes wrong, everything has to be replaced… a very expensive job! Meanwhile, I kept praying for a divine solution without too much cost. Tuesday morning, I went to the garage, and in half an hour, the job was done! They managed to blow the post-it out, and the CD player works perfectly again. I drove home with a very thankful heart. We have a God who provides for ALL our needs!”
Praying for wisdom can increase your points.
Jasmijn shared a nice testimony from the youth. Hadewych gave us permission to publish it.
We let Jasmijn speak for herself:
“Later, more stories came up about the persecution they feel for their faith, especially in religious studies lessons. Almost all of them talked about how difficult it is when they have to express their own opinion on a test. If they do, they often lose points because their opinion doesn’t match the teacher’s.
Hadewych had a beautiful testimony about this:
In a test, a teacher asked the students for their opinion on a topic. Hadewych gave hers and received no points for that question.
She then went up to the teacher to ask why she didn’t get any points for that question. To her surprise, the teacher started a long discussion with her about why she was wrong. Hadewych wasn’t having any of it. She told us, “I cleared my mind and asked God what I should do.” She doesn’t remember what she said, but eventually, the teacher wasn’t mad anymore and even agreed with her! And she got all her points for that question!
It’s amazing to hear how our teens walk with God!”
Trust in God
We let Dora tell the story herself:
“I want to share with you another special blessing that happened recently, a blessing directly related to the seed box. I noticed on Sunday (when the Fatherheart School was about to start) at the beginning of the service that, aside from some small change, I only had one 20 euro note left in my wallet.
After the service, I had an appointment at 1:30 PM to go for a walk in Korbeek-Lo on the annual walking day of the association that advocates for more physical activity for women who have had breast cancer. I still had to drop off my daughter at a friend’s house, so I had no time to look for an ATM to withdraw money. As a result, I quickly felt conflicted during the service because, on the one hand, I am used to putting something in the seed box, but on the other hand, I knew that this would mean I would be left with no money after the walk.
The last option seemed the most appealing, but once the service began, I quickly felt that I would be doing God a disservice and that the pancake later that day wouldn’t taste right.
During the service, there was talk about the certainty of being able to trust God in everything, so I put my 20 euro note into the seed box. Upon arriving at the walk, the friends had just left. I had texted them not to wait for me and that I would catch up with them. I enjoyed the beautiful walking weather and the surroundings when suddenly, less than a kilometer further, I spotted a 20 euro note on the road, just lying there. No houses or people around, the note was just there for the taking. Isn’t that amazing? The pancakes after the walk tasted even better, and I still had money left to give an extra donation to the association. God takes care of us, in everything. Thank You, Father!”
What is learned young is done old
Also in sowing and reaping!
Jasmijn had a testimony about giving tithes with her children:
“During our holiday at the beach in August, we explained to the boys how the principle of tithing works. Both Jonas (7 years old) and Bram (5 years old) chose to give 10% back to God from the money they had received to buy something at the flea market. Shortly after, we were walking around the flea market. Jonas, who loves stuffed animals, saw a stuffed mouse that he really wanted to have! I tried to steer him towards other thoughts… he already had so many stuffed animals! Eventually, I was able to convince him to first look at all the other items before deciding what to buy… but apparently, his Heavenly Father wanted to give him the stuffed mouse. We hadn’t even taken two steps when the seller took the mouse and gave it to Jonas. Bram also got a stuffed animal out of nowhere, which he was very happy with and now plays with a lot! Talk about quick harvest!”
Providence
Moses and the Israelites were in the desert, but what was he supposed to do with them now? The people needed to be fed, and to feed two to three million people, you need a lot of food.
According to the quartermaster general of Moses’ army, Moses must have needed 1,500 tons of food every day. Did you know that to transport that much food daily, you would need two freight trains, each at least one and a half kilometers long?
Also, don’t forget that they were in the desert. They also needed firewood to prepare the food. For that, you need 4,000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each one and a half kilometers long – every day.
And keep in mind that they were traveling for 40 years.
Oh yes, they also needed water. Just to drink and wash a few plates, they would need about 42,000,000 liters of water and a nearly three-kilometer long freight train of tank wagons per day!
And one more thing! They needed to cross the Red Sea at night. If they walked two by two across a narrow path, the line would be 1,300 meters long, and they would take 35 days and nights to get across. So, there must have been a five-kilometer-wide opening in the Red Sea for them to walk across in one night with 5,000 people side by side.
But there’s still another problem… Every time they set up camp at the end of the day, they would need an area of nearly 2,000 square kilometers. Imagine that… that’s a huge campsite!
Do you think Moses figured all that out before he left Egypt? I don’t think so! Moses believed in God. He could leave all those things to God…
(With permission adapted from “Weather and Wind” by John and Mark Stibbe, ISBN 90338 18191, Ark Books, pp. 168-169)
"Unless you become as little children..."
A few months ago, Myrthe, a granddaughter of Eugène and Josée, saw people during a Sunday service in our church going forward to place slips of paper into two boxes. She asked her grandmother why these people were doing that. Josée patiently explained that one box was for putting in money and the other for asking Jesus for things.
Myrthe’s next question was why people were putting money in there. Josée told her that people who love Jesus know that everything they have comes from Him, and because they love Him, they give a part of their money back to Him. When they do this, Jesus is so happy, He gives them even more in return. Immediately, Myrthe asked if she could do that too. She quickly added that her mom needed a lot of money because she had to buy a new backpack for her.
Josée gave Myrthe a 5 euro note, and Myrthe placed it in the designated box. They then wrote a note together that said, “Thank you, Jesus, for giving my mom a lot of money.” A week later, Heidi, Myrthe’s aunt, received a call saying that her daughter, Lauren, along with Myrthe, had been chosen for a promotional photo shoot for a drink. Both of them received 500 euros for this.
Shortly after, Myrthe and Lauren were in church one Sunday morning before the service started. They saw the cups from God’s Ambassade for sale on one of the tables and both wanted one. So, they went to people and asked them for money to buy a cup. Josée saw what was happening and told them they couldn’t do that. She added that Myrthe knew what to do if she wanted money. She gave 5 euros to both of them, thinking they would buy a cup. However, Myrthe and Lauren immediately went forward and placed the money in the offering box. Now, they would get money… They went back to the table where the cups were. Imelda was behind the table and knew nothing of what had happened before. She looked at Myrthe and Lauren and said, “I see that you would like a cup, so you will both get one from me.”
Myrthe and Lauren walked back to Josée, beaming with joy, and told her, “That box works!” Soon after, Kathleen, Myrthe’s mother, was offered a higher position at her job with a raise in salary. Moreover, someone asked her to write a book for him, again with financial compensation. A friend of Kathleen inherited a house with all the furnishings. Kathleen was invited by her friend to come and take a look and received a lot of handmade, expensive clothing that fit her perfectly and was very useful for her job…
Who was it again who said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God…”?
God gives abundantly
Robin, who was able to get around with various vehicles, sent us an email with the news that he had received a car. This was, in itself, a huge blessing, but getting a car on the road is expensive. When Robin inquired about prices for a decent car insurance, he was told that he would start with a bonus-malus rating of 11.
People with experience know that just a few numbers up or down can make a big difference in price. Robin had an amount in mind that he was willing and able to spend, and he had discussed this with his heavenly Father. An insurance policy with a rating of 11 was far above this amount, making this car project seem impossible. Suddenly, an insurance company offered him a policy with a bonus-malus rating of 02, an amount lower than what Robin had agreed upon with God. Wonder of wonders, he received an unexpected amount that was more than enough to pay for the insurance. For Robin, this was an immense blessing and also the result of God’s promise concerning sowing and reaping, or handling money biblically.
My God will supply all my needs...
On a Sunday, Chris suddenly realized that she had been invited to a communion party, but she didn’t have proper shoes to wear. Financially, she wasn’t doing well, and a good pair of shoes would cost quite a bit!
The next day, her mother came to visit. She didn’t know that Chris needed new shoes. She had brought 9 (!!!) pairs of shoes, almost new, from Aunt Julia. Uncle Miel, her husband, had sent these shoes with her mother. Aunt Julia had become demented and could no longer wear the shoes. She had been a very stylish lady and bought shoes in very expensive shoe stores.
Chris was obviously extremely surprised: her Heavenly Father had provided before she had even asked! The shoes fit perfectly; it was exactly her size.
Now Chris has so many beautiful shoes that she doesn’t know which ones to wear in the morning… talk about abundance!
Tithes: burden or pleasure
In the past, Maria from Theo always felt like she couldn’t make ends meet with her money. Paying all the bills and still giving a little to the children and grandchildren… it always seemed like there was never enough! After receiving biblical teaching on finances a few times, Maria decided to put it to the test. She started giving tithes, but after a while, she stopped again. Still, that thought of “I can’t make it” kept coming back. Deep inside, however, she didn’t feel right about this choice. So, she started giving tithes again, and this time, she didn’t stop. Now, Maria clearly notices that, despite nothing changing in her income, she no longer thinks in terms of lack. On the contrary, she knows she is richly blessed and gives much more easily and freely than before. She longs to see others blessed with what she is able to give. Nothing or no one in the world can now stop her from giving tithes!
Cars and insurance
Robin, who was reasonably mobile with various vehicles, sent us an email with the message that he had received a car. In itself, a huge blessing, but getting a car on the road is expensive. When Robin inquired about prices for a decent car insurance, he was told that you need to start with a bonus-malus rating of 11.
People with experience know that a few digits up or down can make a big difference in price.
Robin had an amount in mind that he wanted and could spend, and he had discussed it with his Heavenly Father. A grade 11 insurance was well above this amount, which would make this car project impossible for him. Suddenly, an insurance company offered him a policy with a bonus-malus rating of 02, a price lower than what Robin had agreed upon with God. Miraculously, he received a sum of money from an unexpected source that was more than enough to cover the cost of the insurance. For Robin, this was an enormous blessing and also the result of God’s promise regarding sowing and reaping, or biblically managing money.
Would anything be too wonderful for the Lord?
Last year, Elly and Leo’s neighbors, Hans, his wife Els, and their three children, went on vacation to Spain. On their way through France, they stopped to eat and swim. When they returned to the parking lot to continue their journey, they saw that their car, with all their luggage (including a lot of clothes and sports gear), had been stolen. Despite being very disappointed, they decided to continue their trip. Someone from the area who knew them came to pick them up. Naturally, it turned out to be a vacation spent in a downhearted mood, as they only had the clothes they were wearing and their wallets.
When they returned home, Els told Elly the whole story. Just before their vacation, Elly had given Els an invitation to the “Back-to-School Party” and also shared her testimony about Jesus. Elly promised to specifically pray for them, asking that their car be found. Together with Myrène, a sister from her church, Elly prayed to the Father. Two months later, Hans told Leo that they had found the car, completely burned!
However, since it was found, everything could be sorted out with the insurance.
Some time later, they received enough money from the insurance to buy a new car and a completely new set of sports equipment and clothing. Talk about a miraculous intervention!
Sowing and reaping, what do you expect from it?
A while ago, Ann spoke on a Tuesday evening about Proverbs 6:31: “A thief, when caught, must repay seven times.” It was clear that the devil had stolen a lot from the lives of Eugène and Josée. Before they knew Jesus as their Savior, Healer, and Provider, they were trapped in a negative spiral of illness, accidents, bills, and poverty. They had to sell their house and were left with a mountain of debt. When they came to our church and began discovering God’s Word, they became faithful tithers and givers, regardless of their financial situation. They saw clear results, and poverty disappeared from their lives.
Yet there was more “life and abundance” to come, and this preaching really spoke to them. They knew they could expect much more and made a list of everything the devil had stolen from them. They brought this to God and demanded a sevenfold return from the devil. Less than a month later, they moved into a beautiful, large house, much nicer than the one they had previously had to sell. They made a list of everything they needed for the new house. Everything was written down in detail and placed in the church’s prayer box.
They needed a wardrobe, two single beds for the grandchildren, a freezer, sofas, carpets, curtains, a kitchen table and chairs, and a crib. Within a week, various people brought them items from their list, and even better than expected. Instead of a wardrobe, they received an entire bedroom. They got curtains that matched their interior and were the right size, paint for the rooms, and all the other items they had asked for. On top of that, they received a new garden table, flowers, and plants, and the landlord decided to give them the 1000L of heating oil left in the tank for free. Additionally, someone felt led to give them a monthly amount equivalent to what they would have to pay extra in their new home. Many people came to help pack and move, and on the night of the move, a sister organized a barbecue for 21 people.
Initially, Josée felt uncomfortable with such a large kitchen with so many cabinets, two cellars, and a freezer. Now she is very happy with her filled cabinets and freezer… they are increasingly seeing “life and abundance” come into their lives…
Giving: The best way to receive!
Theo and Maria needed wood for this winter. Theo, currently 74 years old, healthy and strong, had looked around a bit. One day in early April this year, he prayed for it. He reminded God of His promise in Malachi 3, which says that you may test God by giving tithes and offerings. He prayed boldly: “Lord, I faithfully give You my tithes and offerings, and You promise that You will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings abundantly upon me. I ask just once: I would like to receive wood.”
A couple of days later, at 11:40 AM (Theo remembers it clearly: Maria had just said that lunch would be ready in 10 minutes), Theo’s brother Raymond called him. He asked, “Phil (Theo is called Phil by his family), do you want wood?” Theo responded affirmatively and, despite the fact that lunch was nearly ready, immediately went to check it out. His brother’s daughter had built a house, and in the yard behind her new home were a few tall, dangerous trees. If something happened, they would fall onto the new house. The owner of the land had asked someone to cut the trees down and chop them up. He was now looking for someone who wanted the wood… for free! Theo, of course, accepted joyfully and drove back home to eat. Now, Theo had to solve the transportation problem. He made an agreement with the men who were cutting the trees that they would bring the wood with their trailer for a small fee. Theo would have to load the heavy logs onto the trailer himself. The young men and the landowner were amazed at how he could still do that. The landowner, who was about the same age as Theo, could hardly do anything himself. This gave Theo the opportunity to tell him about his relationship with his Heavenly Father, who keeps him healthy. The trailers of wood were unloaded in front of Theo and Maria’s house. Theo carried the heavy logs by hand to the back, this time as a testimony to his neighbors. He split all the wood himself and neatly stacked it: it turned out to be about 8 cubic meters of wood, enough for Theo and Maria to burn for two years… and all for free! No, actually not for free, because Theo and Maria faithfully give their tithes and offerings and are abundantly blessed in return!
He gives seed to the sower
We let the anonymous giver speak:
“A long time ago, during a conference, I heard about financial sowing in God’s Kingdom. There was an invitation to give generously (1000 euros or more, if possible) with the promise that God would give back a good, pressed, shaken, and overflowing measure (Luke 6:38). He multiplies it thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold. I immediately thought, ‘That must be wonderful to be able to give so much.’
Actually, I longed to be able to do that as well. However, a thousand euros was certainly not immediately within my means. Moreover, I only give such gifts in agreement with my ‘home front.’
I could give 50 euros, and as I put it in the envelope, I thought, ‘Lord, if you multiply this by a hundredfold – that’s 5000 euros – I could sow a large amount.’
Three weeks later, to my great surprise, I learned that I would inherit, along with many other family members. A few more weeks later, I received the first papers from the notary, and yes, it seemed to be around 5000 euros! I immediately began to pray where I could sow! Exciting!
It was mentioned that some funds still needed to be liquidated. Imagine, it could be even more!
Then came the waiting… weeks, months, a year! Finally, I received the message that everything was in order, and the money would be transferred. Three more months passed before it happened. When I saw the amount, I nearly fell over: 9644 euros!! Our God really knows something about multiplying!!! Because He allowed me to harvest so abundantly, I decided to sow abundantly as well, I planted 5000 euros in the Kingdom… and I loved it!”
(Note: We are curious about the next harvest!)
Financial blessing!
Last year, Elly and Leo’s neighbors, Hans, his wife Els, and their three children, went on vacation to Spain. On their way through France, they stopped to eat and swim. When they wanted to continue their journey and returned to the parking lot, they saw that their car, along with all their luggage (including clothes and sports equipment), had been stolen.
Feeling very disappointed, they continued their journey. Someone from the area, who knew them, came to pick them up. Naturally, it was a vacation in a minor key: they only had the clothes they were wearing and their wallets. When they returned home, Els told Elly the whole story. Just before their vacation, Elly had given Els an invitation for the “Back-to-School Party” and had also shared her testimony about Jesus. Elly promised Els that she would specifically pray for them, asking God that their car would be found. Elly prayed to the Father along with Myrène, a sister from her church.
Two months later, Hans told Leo that they had found the car, completely burned out! However, because the car was found, everything was arranged with the insurance company. Some time later, they received so much money from the insurance that they were able to buy a new car and replace all their sports equipment and clothes. Talk about a miraculous intervention!
