- [Narrator] Like so many couples,

Murphy and Melissa Stewart's marriage

was being torn apart by money problems.

It started when theycame into their marriage

with a combined six figure debt load.

- We had a lot of friendsthat we hung out with,

that drove cars, went on vacations

and spent money frivolously,

it's something that we wanted to do too.

- It really caused a lot of hardship

and burden in our marriage.

- [Narrator] After they married,

Melissa left her bankjob to return to school.

She also took out a loan to pay for it.

They were now stuck with payingback thousands of dollars.

- And so, on top of the $7,000 in debt,

our credit card debt,

we also had $30,000 of schooldebt that my wife accrued

and also we had IRS billdebt and medical debt.

- And it was just likethis never ending cycle

of just insanity.

- [Narrator] By 2012, theyknew they needed God's help

and started going to church.

They also began learningabout financial stewardship

and tithing.

- I was now immediatelyon board, absolutely,

because I realized thatsomething needed to change.

- [Narrator] Then Murphylost his bank job.

Now they were both out of work

and using credit cards to get by.

One night at church,they were prompted by God

to give a sacrificial offering.

- And it was actually fromour recycle cans money,

some of the last cash that we had on hand.

And we both felt like thatwas confirmation like,

okay, God is with us, He'sgonna take care of us.

- [Narrator] The Stewarts began tithing

from Melissa's new part time job,

and Murphy's unemployment benefits.

Within a month, Murphy was hired

as an account manager at a bank.

- But I knew God was still in it

and enabling me tobecome more of a provider

for my household as a man.

- [Narrator] By 2013,

the Stewarts were consistently tithing.

They also put themselveson a strict budget.

- I started to see us payingoff the debts one by one

and things started toinspire me and motivate me

and really trust Him and trustGod too that, we can do this.

- [Narrator] In January, 2014,

Melissa got a new jobat a community college.

During that year, theyreceived a combined total

of $18,000 in bonuses and raises,

which they use to pay down their debt.

After a five year commitment,

they were able to payoff $229,000 of debt.

- It was probably the secondbest day of our lives,

besides our wedding day, it was amazing.

- Being debt free, it's asurreal, surreal feeling for sure.

I feel a lot lighter, no burden,

and I feel like I'mwalking now into my destiny

that God has promised me.

- [Narrator] Today, theStewarts find their fulfillment

in staying debt-free and helpingother couples find freedom

through their fitness andfinancial coaching business

called FitnFund.

- Really just take that step of faith

and really turn it overto God and just let it go,

that He will just overwhelm you

with blessings and abundance.

- I believe it's important to give

and to really follow God's principles,

because He will bless youbeyond your imagination.

But most importantly, Heopens up doors for you

to start giving backand show others the way.