A Path to Early Retirement and a Mortgage-Free Life

Christine’s passion for flying took off at 16 and has never left her. In fact, she even helped build an airplane that’s proudly displayed inside the Illinois aviation museum in Bolingbrook.

Christine shares, “The joy of flying, you get into the cockpit. You have all these instruments that you have to watch You are up in the sky. You are above everything. It's just amazing.”

Christine’s life took a turn in 2005 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, yet her passion for aviation never wavered. She continued teaching high school students specialty trades like engine repair, staying connected to aviation. Despite a stable salary, she lived with constant fear of financial instability.

Christine recalls, “I was always concerned about how soon, what I needed at the end, what it would cost, what things would do. I mean, I was usually a saver, but I always felt there wasn't enough.

Christine continued working. She worried about her financial future and struggled trusting God with her finances.

Christine says, “Handing situations over to God wasn't always easy for me. Always gave at Christmas time, you always gave, at Easter time, you went to church. I started to ask, God, now what, where do I do? What happens if I don't have this job? How am I gonna afford things?”

Then one day, she turned on the 700 Club and heard a message that shifted her perspective.

Christine remembers, “I heard Gordon say that this is the one time that God says, test me. That, hit me. And I thought, I have to look that up. I have to see if that's so. And I saw that it does say test me. So I did. I decided to start giving 10%.

She says at first, giving 10% of her income felt scary, nevertheless, Christine held on to her faith and saw God provide in unexpected ways. 

Christine says, “First I thought, oh my goodness, this is a lot of money. I'm gonna miss this. But I didn't because I was able to afford the things I still wanted to do. How is this happening that I'm giving more money, yet I'm still able to afford things that come up?”

Soon, Christine’s savings grew beyond her expectations. By 2016, she was able to put down $30,000 on her mother’s condo. She also had enough to retire early – trusting God to take care of the rest.

Christine shares, “I don’t have those concerns about money. I was able to get a retirement bonus. And that helped put that in, into a savings account which was of course security.”

In 2023, Christine paid off her mortgage. Then, she sold her mother’s condo for nearly double its value. She continues to tithe and give generously, supporting ministries like CBN and Operation
Blessing.

Christine says, “Helping with the hurricanes and now the fires in California, what my little amount that I give goes so much further by giving it to these places that work out at CBN Operation Blessing, the Orphans Promise. It's just, it's a beautiful thing.”

Christine never imagined that trusting God with her finances would bring so much peace. Today, she encourages others to step out in faith and give also.

Christine shares, “Not having to worry about money is a relief. Try to tithe, try to give that 10% to God. Because ever since I did, I haven’t had worries about finances. God’s taken care of it. Just give back to God because He gives so much.”

Psalm 41:1 says, “Blessed is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver Him in time of trouble.” When you partner with CBN, you do more than just give to the poor. You provide hope and the love of Christ through life-giving surgeries, food and clothing programs, humanitarian aid, and so much more! Become a CBN partner, and help transform lives in the name of Jesus Christ! Join us now!