“When I heard Ed and Donna say that you can pay cash for a car, I didn’t believe it. I will never be able to do that.” That statement came from a young man who attended one of our financial seminars 15 years ago. He recently shared his testimony of faith in the financial area of his life.
He didn’t come from a wealthy family. One summer while he was in college, he had an internship in another city, a couple of hours from home. He was so broke that he didn’t have any money to put down on a deposit where he was going to live. He had saved a large jar of coins through the years. He emptied it all out and took the quarters. He lived on that money the first week. The next week he took out the nickels and dimes to live on until he got his first paycheck.
Shortly after graduating from college and getting married, this couple came to the class that we taught for newly married couples. A few months later, he attended a one-day financial seminar we taught. He and his wife had about $25,000 in debt, mainly from student loans, plus they owed about $14,000 on car loans.
They began paying off debt. They were faithful to follow what God showed them on how to spend all of their money, not just what they gave to Him. They learned that they can pay cash for their cars! They have paid cash for three and paid off two within six months. They sought wise counsel as they took steps in their journey of faith with Him. They pray about all of the money that He has entrusted to them. They both have a generous heart and a love for the Lord. They are quick to respond to a need to demonstrate His love. God has blessed their hearts, their work, and family.
God designed us to give to others and to Him. When we live according to His design, we are the happiest, we have the greatest joy. Giving is never about whether we can afford it. We often hear people say that they can’t afford to give to a need or to God’s work. Giving is about our heart towards Him and our trust in Him. Jesus showed us the example of the widow who gave all she had to live on (Mark 12:43-444). He commended her above the wealthy who gave more money.
Giving is a response of love and gratitude to God. We give to His work and to others out of our love for Him and our love for others - not to get something in return. “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” (Romans 11:35) “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chronicles 29:14).
Because of the generosity of people who support God’s work through Living Well ministry, we have learned, grown, and taught others. Those that we have taught have given and taught others. Generosity is multiplied into many lives. [read about generosity - marriage and others here]
We are in the final phases of preparing to go to Zambia for our mission trip. We will multiply God’s Word into the lives of 160 poor children and 50 pastor couples. We shipped study Bibles for the pastors and children’s Bibles for the children of Wisdom Community School. They have all arrived!
Because of the generosity of many, we were able to have the school covered with a cement plaster and is now ready for our team to paint it, inside and outside.
We are responsible to raise the funds for the school project, for both the physical work and for the Bibles and other materials, as well as funds for the pastors conference, and our own transportation, lodging, food, etc. Our team has their passports and shots. They are diligently planning and praying.
Please pray with us for this mission - for the planning, preparation, people, and for the funding.
Our love in Christ,
Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Pray that the Lord will provide the $6,000 that we still need for the mission trip to Zambia. [to donate]
