California Dreaming

CBN.com A couple of years ago, Eric Dennis and wife Staci decided a career change was in order. So they picked up and moved to Sacramento, Calif., so that Eric could be trained to become a home appraiser. But what they found when they got to Calif. was financial sticker shock!

"The price of the houses is about double and the price of living is about double out here," says Staci. "We knew that before we came, so we were prepared. When we got out here, though, it was more like it was triple."

It became harder and harder for the Dennis' to pay their bills, so they had to dip into savings.

"We had an income, but it was not matching what was going out," explains Staci. "So, as the months went by, what we thought was this huge savings dwindled down."

But all during this challenging transition, Staci and Eric continued to support their church and ministries like CBN. You see, as a newspaper reporter, Staci had written a story on Operation Blessing.

"I could see an intimate part of how it worked and the dedication of the people that worked there, specifically where the money was going," she says."All of that was really moving on me, that this was a great place to make an investment -- to give of my money and my time."

So, in spite of financial tough times, the Dennis' made a surprising decision -- to increase their gifts to CBN from the 1000 Club to the 2500 Club! They both say Pat's teaching on the Law of Reciprocity inspired them.

"There's been a few times in my life where I think God has really specifically called me to give money, and that was one of those times," says Staci. "By faith write that check and know that God will provide."

Within days of that decision to obey God, Eric and Staci saw some unusual things happening with their finances. First, there were the unexpected tax rebates and refunds.

"We got about $700 in random checks back, and that's never happened to me before," she says.

Then Eric got a great offer from someone to buy his "muscle car."

"This man on the Internet just randomly said, 'I want a 1972 Buick stage one, flame orange, 4 speed' and we had that sitting in our garage -- and he was willing to pay for it," says Staci. Eric adds, "He came down in March, loved the car, gave me the money, and drove off to Canada with it!"

But probably most amazing, Eric's new appraisal business took off due to the booming housing market in Sacramento. Staci even got freelance work as a writer for a local newspaper. All together they have seen their finances more than double, in just the past few months!

"As you give," Eric explains, "it's almost like the more you give and empty of yourself, the more God fills."

says, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!" (NLT)

Eric and Staci applied this principle, and found God to be true to His word! God wants to bless you, too. Discover God's secret of reciprocity by becoming a CBN partner today. Through your partnership with CBN, you'll be making a difference in lives the world over, providing food to the hungry, fresh water wells to those in need, humanitarian aid, medical outreaches, and so much more -- and all in the name of Jesus. Please join with us today.