GOD'S ECONOMY
Imagine Living Life Debt-Free!
By Tim Smith
The 700 Club
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CBN.com - With a garden and an orchard in their back yard, Frank and Gail Smith are experts at growing a variety of fruits and vegetables.
“We have peaches and cherries and apricots and plums,” says Frank. “The mandarins and the pomelos, which come off in December, are just – they’re to die for.”
They know getting a good crop depends on how much they put into it. They believe the same goes for tithing and giving, something they learned reading the Bible.
“It says in the Bible, ‘test Me,’” says Gail. “God wants us to test Him.”
“What really spoke to me was Malachi 3:10,” remembers Frank. “And I looked into that – ‘Trust Me in this and see if I do not open up the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing that you cannot contain.’”
At the time, the Smiths had decided to pay off $130,000 of debt and live debt-free.
“We got into debt through a combination of ways,” says Frank. “We were a typical American family trying to struggle through the day-to-day activities of raising a family, and kids are expensive. We had a car debt. We had a mortgage on a home. And we had typical debt that was beginning to build up.”
They started applying God’s financial principles: paying off the debt, cutting back on spending, and tithing. And within 2 years…
“…we were able to pay off $130,000 in debt,” says Gail. “And we were able to tithe more than we ever had.”
Over the years, they started giving above their tithe, which included CBN.
“Whenever there’s a disaster, I don’t care where it’s at in the world, Operation Blessing is there,” says Frank. “And they’re doing things and reaching people that we cannot.”
“We like the programs, the outreaches, and the ministry of CBN,” adds Gail. And we love the ministry of The 700 Club that God has really blessed them with the ability to get partners.”
Then in 2008, Frank and Gail developed a plant food supplement that today is sold in nearly every state.
“The name Shake and Grow came in the night and God clearly spoke and He said, ‘Frank, it’s simple. You shake it, and the plant grows.’ And hence, Shake and Grow. That’s perfect! So that’s what we went with on the name. This year, we’ve seen sales 1000% of what they were. So we are very excited about what God is doing and where He is taking us. And how He can use this technology to bless farmers throughout the world.” Their friend down the street used it to grow a 1200-pound pumpkin.
Now CBN 1000 Club members, Frank and Gail are still debt-free. They love sharing their success with their four children and six grandchildren and telling them that it comes from God, and their faithfulness to give.
“We’re so grateful to what God is doing,” says Frank. “I can’t imagine not having Him in our lives. And we’re just going to trust Him. And it’s like, ‘Test Me in this and see if I’m not going to be faithful and do what I say.’”
Being obedient to God's truth made an incredible difference for the Smiths. They made themselves available for God's love to flow through them to others, and they are reaping a blessing themselves as well. Join them 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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