GOD'S ECONOMY
Getting Over the Guilt of Failed Finances
By Debbie White and Michelle Wilson
The 700 Club
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CBN.com - Maria Avila is raising three children on her own. She also has a full-time job as a telemarketer.
“I was concerned about my kids. When you have three kids you have to pay for childcare, then I didn’t have enough money to pay for my car. It was really hard,” said Maria.
Maria never learned about budgeting or finances.
“I would be just like ‘what’s 40 bucks? 50 bucks?’ It’s nothing.”
Soon Maria’s spending landed her in debt. At first, she borrowed money from family and friends to cover her living expenses. Then, she turned to “payday lenders,” at 25% interest.
Eventually, Maria had to secure an additional loan with even higher interest before she paid off the previous one. She realized she was in trouble when she didn’t have the money to feed her children.
“I had go and get food from a local shelter. I was crying, because, I was like, 'I’m sorry babies, I’m sorry I’m a loser.'”
Maria says the guilt from her financial failures drove her to her knees.
“I would just tell God that I was a good person and I knew I had made mistakes before, maybe I wasn’t worth it, but kids definitely were.”
Maria went back to church and recommitted her life to God. She also watched The 700 Club, where she learned a principle that would change her life.
“The scripture that felt like it was convicting was Malachi 3:10 where God says ‘Bring the whole offering into the storehouse. Test me in this way and see if I will not bless you so much that it’s overflowing.’ I was like, ‘That sounds good! I’ll take you up on your offer, God.’”
Maria started tithing to her church and giving to CBN.
“I felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me ‘You should partner up with CBN.’”
Maria also learned how to budget her money through classes at her church. She began tackling her $6000 debt. Soon she was receiving new incentives and bonuses at work.
“Last year, I actually made $13,000 more than the year before. I can only attribute it to God.”
In just three years, Maria was debt free. This year, she realized a life-long dream.
“Since I started tithing and giving to CBN, we were able to get our first home. This was the biggest dream I had. You have to give back to God. If you trust Him with a little seed, He will give you back a garden.”
“Trust me, trust me on that. I’m living proof.”
Being obedient to God's truth made an incredible difference for Maria. She made herself available for God's love to flow through her to others, and she is reaping a blessing herself as well. Join her in partnering with CBN. You will make a difference in lives around the world, through medical missions, food and clothing programs, humanitarian outreaches and so much—all in the name of Jesus. Please join today.
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