He Gives More

It’s Thanksgiving, and I am home for a short but rich holiday with family, lots of food, and good friends. God has blessed me abundantly, and at times like this, it comes naturally to say thank you. I’ve never known real want, though, so it is easy for me to take all this richness for granted.

Last week, I heard several stories of people who had very little, monetarily speaking—but gave or trusted their little to God, with amazing results. In honor of Thanksgiving and the Giver of all good things, I share these stories with you.

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Lois Friesen is my roommate and one of my college friends here in Boston. Before coming to Sattler, she was involved in mission work in several different countries. This particular story comes from her school teaching days in Costa Rica. 

Jesus instructs us to ask God for daily bread.  I have struggled many times to accept daily bread. I’m more comfortable with a monthly paycheck, at least.  Once, I was teaching in a third world country. During the same months, finances were tight for each of my students, and I received no paycheck. I always purchased my groceries on credit from a little shop down the street, and the month end came, and I had no money to pay my bill. Depressed, I knelt beside my bed and battled doubts about God’s faithfulness. Then He asked me, “Are you ok with Daily Bread?” I’m not, I replied. Not at all. He was silent. I steamed a bit before I surrendered. Finally, I accepted it and said, “Lord, it’s ok. I trust you and ask you to provide today, my daily bread.”

I grabbed my sandals and walked up the street, admiring the jungle mountains that steamed in the hot sun. I started singing, “As mountains ‘round his people rise…”  Then, glancing down, I noticed a wad of cash lying on the ground. The ground was wet, but the cash was dry. I asked the neighbors, and no one had lost cash. Just like He promised, I have found that my Heavenly Father gives each day our daily bread.

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Dr. Finny Kuruvilla is my biology professor and the founder of Sattler College, but he remembers times as a little boy when even the next meal was hard to come by. 

Without question, the greatest influence in my life has been my parents.  I was shaped by what I saw modeled in their lives—in particular, a gratitude and remembering for what God had done in our lives.  Though we had little, my parents were always grateful for what we did have and often narrated the supernatural provisions of God.

My mom came to America from India with $7.  At the time, $7 was the maximum India would allow people to take out of the country.  When she landed in the US she had to spend $5.75 on a cab, leaving her with $1.25!  She didn’t know a soul.  I marvel at her courage.  My dad, also came with $7 but had to spend 50 cents on a bathroom in the Rome airport, leaving him with $6.50.  In the US, he worked hard, including as a janitor at a nursing home.  You should see his face when he describes the smells!

Once when my parents were down to their last couple of dollars, they decided to spend their remaining money on a meal at Dairy Queen.  Walking back home, a stranger walked up to my dad to shake his hand.  Without introduction or explanation, the stranger shook hands and walked on.  My dad found a $20 bill in his hand that the stranger had given him!  Such were the precious provisions of God.

As a young child, though we had little financially, we had a joyful home.  God always provided for our needs.  My father often spoke about the verse from Psalm 103,

“Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise His holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul,

    and forget not all His benefits.”

To “forget not” is an indirect way of commanding us to remember.  To remember God’s provision in the past is to lay the foundation for future trust and victory.  When Israel cowered before Goliath, it was young David who remembered how God delivered him from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear.  I cannot ever recall my parents complaining about our family’s situation.  Instead I can recall much gratitude and remembering God’s provisions in our lives.  For this example, I will always be grateful.

A friend of mine, Julie, tells this story of her Christian friend who lives in Pakistan. Since Christianity is discouraged in that country, a 100-rupee note will serve for his picture.  

It was late at night, and Thomas and his family were sleeping when Thomas heard a knock at the door. He recognized the visitors as a Christian couple from a nearby village in Pakistan. Visibly distressed, they explained how their child was extremely sick and in need of immediate hospital care. This would cost 500 rupee and they were penniless. Thomas was the only person they could think of who might have the resources and the willingness to help them.

Thomas listened intently to their story but reasoned that while he had the money, he could not give it up, or he would have nothing for his own family. “I am very sorry, but I cannot help you,” he responded sheepishly.

Sorrowful but understanding, the couple thanked Thomas and journeyed back home. Thomas returned to bed but could not sleep as his gnawing conscience questioned him. Didn’t God say, “Give to everyone who asks”? Are we not to take care of our brethren? Hasn’t God provided for all our needs so far? After several minutes of this, he arose, gathered the 500 rupees, and with full resolution left to assist the destitute couple.

He knocked on the door and they immediately answered, crying, “We knew you would help us!” Thomas handed them the money and apologized for holding back what he knew God meant for them. Tears of joy streamed down their faces as the three stood together, rejoicing in God’s provision. They prayed together, embraced each other, and said goodnight. Filled with peace and gladness, Thomas started home—fully assured that the One who provides for the needy, would provide for his needs too.

It was still nighttime but the glimmer of the moon illuminated the dirt footpath leading home. As Thomas looked around, taking in the beautiful night, he observed a tiny sparkle on the ground in front of him. Curious to find out what it was, he reached down and picked it up. It was 1,000 rupees. Someone must have dropped it. But who? There were no homes nearby and no people out at that late hour. Only Thomas and God.

Realizing there was no way to determine the owner of the money, Thomas felt himself overcome with both humility and joy. God had not simply returned his 500 rupees but had returned it twofold! He started again on his journey home, giving thank and praise to God. And he chuckled to himself as he realized, “What bank gives 200% interest this quickly? Only the Lord’s bank!”