Are You Missing Out on a Great Adventure?
“‘The Great Adventure!’ That's what I’m gonna call, ‘The Great Adventure.’ Because there's never been a dull moment.” That’s how LaRonna Turnbough sums up her and her husband Otha’s financial journey with God. From the beginning of their marriage, they agreed on the importance of tithing.
Otha said, “Tithing is the one thing where God says, ‘Test me.’ Do you realize how crazy it is? But I encourage you to do it because every instruction in the Bible is for your benefit and not your demise.”
LaRonna added, “I love my Father. I want to obey His Word. That is why I give. But because of the promises in His Word, I can expect to receive.”
When they started a family, LaRonna homeschooled their kids and Otha followed his calling and became an assistant pastor. Years later, their church downsized and he was let go. Still, he humbly volunteered at the church for the next 7 years.
Otha recalled, “I was upset, but I wasn't bitter. But guess what the Bible says? ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord would deliver you out of them all.’”
They continued to tithe on his very limited income doing part-time jobs. Yet, with a growing family and no steady work, they had to declare bankruptcy and lost their home. A family heard of their need, took them in, and fed them … all for free.
LaRonna said, “And it was the hand of God. It was really the hand of God. Again, working through this individual, working through this family.”
Within five months, they were back on their feet. Several years later, Otha felt led to move from Detroit to Atlanta and start Lionheart Church; they met in a room of an old movie theater. Otha rarely took an offering, but he loved to share with his congregation how God would bless them when they trusted Him with their finances.
Otha explained, “I tithed when I was up. I tithed when I was down. I tithed when I had a great job, and I tithed when I didn't have a job at all. People that are faithful and honorable to God, whether it's up or down, He remembers them specifically when they need His help.”
12 years later, his congregation witnessed God’s blessing firsthand when the owner of the theater, who was also a pastor, gave Otha a surprising gift.
“‘Sir, I'm retiring. Lord told me a year ago that this building is yours.’ So, he gave us a $5 million building, 43,000 square feet, two levels, completely free,” said Otha.
The 40-year-old theater needed major renovations. Otha, however, felt the Lord wanted them to help the poor in Africa at that time. His congregation agreed and cheerfully gave over $100,000.
Otha said, “We cut a check for 50,000, gave it to the poor churches in Kenya, cut another check for 50,000 and gave it to the poor churches in Zimbabwe. Even though I don't do offerings in the service, the finances of the church increased by 90% in 10 months.”
Lionheart Church was renovated the next year and today it is a thriving outreach to the community. Over the years, the Turnboughs have experienced God’s promise in Proverbs 22, verse 9, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
LaRonna said, “If you sow, you will reap. Those are Biblical principles, period. But the reason why I give is because I love Him, and because I love Him, I will obey Him.”
Otha added, “I encourage people, you have to trust God and you have to try Him a hundred percent and take Him at His Word. Otherwise, you could miss out on some of the greatest things on planet earth.”
