When Tithing Tested Their Faith

When the U.S. government began closing consulates across Europe, Phil, an American working abroad at the time, began to realize his job security was uncertain. A potential position loss would leave him starting over—at the back of the line in a highly competitive job market.

That uncertainty became the catalyst for a major life change. In 1998, Phil and his French wife Hélène moved from France to the United States, settling in Boston where Phil accepted a government position. But what they expected to be a fresh financial start quickly became something far more difficult.

“We go to America and supposed to be rich, you know?” Hélène said. “And things didn’t go like I thought. It was scary.”

With two young children and a high cost of living in Boston, the family soon found themselves short hundreds of dollars every month.

“As a GS-9, you don’t make a whole lot of money,” Phil explained. “And living in a high-cost area is even more stressful.”

After two years, the situation had worsened. The couple had accumulated roughly $25,000 in credit card debt, along with loans from Hélène’s parents. Even with her tutoring income, they were struggling to stay afloat.

“It was obviously stressful for her, and it was stressful for me,” Phil said. “I didn’t want my family to live in this kind of situation. We were just trying to find our way out of this mess.”

In the middle of their financial strain, Phil and Hélène turned to prayer, asking God for direction.

“I remember we prayed for moving,” Hélène said with a laugh. “And it happened.”

Shortly after, Phil was able to transfer his job to Charleston, South Carolina, where the cost of living was significantly lower. While the move eased some pressure, their debt still felt overwhelming. It was during this season that they were introduced to a biblical principle that would reshape their financial outlook: tithing.

At first, Phil wrestled with the idea.

“If I have to give up 10% of everything we’re making, how are we going to make it?” he recalled thinking.

But over time, he began to view it differently—not as loss, but as trust.

“I started to realize it was all about a step of faith,” Phil said. “We trusted the Lord that with the 90% we had left, He would continue to bless us.”

The couple decided to step out in faith and begin tithing consistently.

Hélène soon noticed a shift.

“I saw the money coming little by little,” she said. “We were not struggling to eat or pay the bills. I learned that it’s a good principle—it doesn’t make sense, but it’s smart.”

Alongside their commitment to giving, Phil and Hélène enrolled in a course on biblical finance and became intentional about paying down their debt. Slowly, their situation began to stabilize.

“I just see it as a blessing from the Lord,” Phil said. “We never had a situation where we couldn’t pay our bills or utilities. We just took the time to do it—and didn’t neglect tithing while doing it.”

As their financial foundation strengthened, both Phil’s career and Hélène’s tutoring work grew. Within five years, they were completely debt-free.

That breakthrough opened another door. Inspired by what they were seeing through faith-based programming and testimonies of life change, the couple began watching The 700 Club regularly and felt led to become partners with CBN.

“We were blessed by it,” Phil said. “They didn’t just bring the news—they brought words of knowledge, stories of healing. You could see the Lord working in people’s lives.”

In 2016, Phil received a significant salary increase—doubling what he earned when he first began tithing years earlier. Today, the Minards enjoy a comfortable retirement and continue to credit God for their journey.

“All the blessings we have are because of God,” Hélène said simply. “It’s not because of us.”

Phil agrees, pointing back to the principle that guided them through every step.

“I give honor and glory to the Lord for everything we have,” he said. “There are blessings that come with being faithful in your giving. The Bible says, ‘Give and it shall be given unto you… pressed down, shaken together, and running over.’ And we can be witnesses to that. That’s our testimony.”

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!