Giving Is a Blessing – A Testimony of Faith

 

When We Give to the Poor, We Lend to God – A True Story

Introduction:
The end of the year is often a time of reflection, gratitude, and giving. But what happens when you feel like you have little to spare? This is the story of how a small act of faith led to an unexpected harvest—and a powerful reminder that God sees every act of kindness.

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A Season of Financial Struggle

It was the end of the year, and like many families, ours had faced unexpected expenses. With two young children and the holidays approaching, even my year-end bonus didn’t stretch as far as we’d hoped. My wife and I were carefully counting every dollar, praying for wisdom to make ends meet.

A Divine Nudge to Give

During a visit to a family from our church, we learned they were in dire need—facing hardships we couldn’t ignore. Though our own budget was tight, we felt a quiet but unmistakable prompting in our hearts: "Share what you have."

I’ll admit, hesitation crept in. "Lord, we have so little ourselves—how can this make a difference?" But faith isn’t about logic; it’s about obedience. We gave what we could, trusting that God would use it.

That’s when I remembered Proverbs 19:17:
"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done."

We weren’t just helping a family in need—we were lending to God. And if Scripture promised He would repay, we could rest in that.

The Unexpected Blessing

A few days later, a plain envelope arrived at my office. Inside was a greeting card—no return address, no signature—just a simple message of encouragement. But when I opened it further, my breath caught. There was money inside. A significant amount.

When my wife and I counted it, we were stunned. The total was nearly 22 times what we’d given days earlier. Tears filled our eyes as we realized: God had taken our "small seed" and multiplied it beyond imagination.

This wasn’t just a financial blessing; it was a divine confirmation. When we give to those in need, we aren’t just helping people—we’re partnering with Heaven.

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The Lesson We Carry Forward

1. God Sees Hidden Acts of Love – Whether it’s a gift given in secret or a sacrifice no one else notices, He honors it (Matthew 6:3-4).
2. He Multiplies in His Way – Our return wasn’t just "equal"; it was abundant (Ephesians 3:20).
3. Giving Is Eternal Investment – Proverbs 19:17 reassures us: what we give to the poor isn’t lost—it’s stored up (Luke 12:33-34).

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Closing Reflection:
Have you ever experienced a moment where giving—especially when it hurt—led to an unexpected blessing? Maybe not always financially, but in joy, peace, or divine provision? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments!

Let’s keep sowing seeds of kindness, not because we expect a return, but because we serve a God who keeps His promises. When we give to the poor, we’re not just meeting a need—we’re lending to the Lord Himself.