How to Thrive in an Economic Downturn
CBN.com Girard Secker has been a Missouri crop farmer since the 1970s, but he’ll be the first to tell you, he learned his most important lessons about “harvest time” from The 700 Club.
“I started watching The 700 Club back in the late ‘70s, early ‘80s,” Girard says. “I liked Pat’s perspective on the Bible. He talked about tithing and he kept harping on the fact that you can’t out-give God, and that you should sow, so you can reap. He just kind of beat that into my head [laughs] about every program.
“I didn’t tithe right off the bat; I just barely put my foot in the water and did a little bit at a time,” he says. “But it seemed like I was doing better with my finances as I gave more. Finally, I said, well shucks! I might as well go all the way. And I gave 10 percent or more."
Over the past 40 years, God has blessed Girard Secker with several hundred acres of land, some of the best soybean and corn crop in the state, and given him the strength to keep working hard.
“I am 72 years old, and everybody says, ‘Aren’t you retiring?’ I say ‘No, I’m not retiring,’” Girard says. “I won’t know what to do with myself if I retire. I’ve got lots of energy, I take Pat’s shake you know … [laughs] all his vitamins and minerals. I’ve got really good health. I just feel like He is leaving me here for a purpose. And while I am here, I am going to try to fulfill that and do as well as I can to give back to Him.”
Girard says that even when hard economic times hit, he is still profitable.
“Last year, you would have thought I would have lost more money because of the down in the market, but the farming was the best I ever had,” he says. “The Lord provided. And the last 3 or 4 years, I just made more and more and more every year.
“I think CBN is good ground. I do … I have always felt that way. They do an awful lot of good with the money and I can see where they are in other countries providing water, food, medical supplies.
“You reap what you sow, I can tell you that. You put a lot of seed in the ground, you may get a bountiful harvest. You put a small amount of seed, you may not get as much of a harvest. It is kind of like, you reap what you sow to the Lord. The more you give to the Lord, the more He will give back to you,” Girard says. “It works, you see, in both fields.”
God wants to bless you too, just as He has blessed Girard Secker. One way you can give to God’s work is through CBN. Not only will you reach thousands each day with a message of truth and hope through The 700 Club, you will also help feed and clothe children around the world, bring medical aid to those suffering and so much more. Please join with us today.
