A Lifestyle of Luxury… Then Broke

In 2004, John and Becky started what became a multimillion-dollar telecommunications business. For many years, they enjoyed a large salary and the lifestyle that came with it.

“I could have had anything I wanted,” remembered John, “Motor homes, boats, trucks, four wheelers, you name it.  When you have everything that you want, you tend to want more for some reason.”

But in 2010, they lost some of their largest clients. As a result, the couple was forced to close their business -- and sell many of their possessions – all they had left was an overwhelming amount of debt.

“I remember sitting at a – the kitchen table with my friends and the doorbell rings,” said Becky.  “And it's the sheriff's department, serving my husband with papers.  I mean, it's just the constant defeat, the humiliation that you receive as a person when you have a large amount of debt.”

Medical bills and other expenses continued to mount. Eventually, the Marshalls had to go on government assistance to buy food.

“Well,” said John, “it's depressing. You feel like you've lost not only control, but the ability to provide.”

Becky held back tears, “that's really hard, though, when you're gonna through horrible times, and you don't know how you're gonna feed your kids.”

To make ends meet, John began working out of town, taking subcontracting jobs.  Meanwhile, Becky started reading her bible and watched the 700 Club for comfort.  One day, Becky saw something that changed her family’s lives.

Terry said through the TV Screen, “There’s someone else, you are in a deep problematic financial situation you’re going to see the hand of God move on your behalf…”

“I'm like, ‘that's me,’“ said Becky.

Soon, John started watching with Becky and together they rededicated their lives and their money to God. In 2013, they started tithing to their church and giving to CBN.

John said, “Well, it starts as a gentle nudge…and then you start to get it.”

“We made a commitment to each other that no matter what we would begin to give the 10% of whatever we had at that point,” Becky recalled.

In addition to giving-- the couple started cutting their expenses, paying off debt, and trusting God to provide.

“It didn't matter if we were giving pennies or if we were giving a large dollar amount, the Lord was continually providing for us,” said Becky.   

Within a year of giving to CBN, John was able to stop travelling for work.  He opened a new business and it was an immediate success.  Within nine months, he landed a prime contract.

“Every single week, we've had the money to pay our employees, we've had the money to grow. It's always worked out,” said Becky. 

Within two years after the couple opened their business, their customer base tripled. Along with it, they’ve been able to triple their giving to CBN.

They say they owe all their success to giving to God first.

“We have been faithful to our church here and to CBN ministries with our money,” said Becky.  “And because of that faithfulness, God's given us more, and we've been able to give more.  If you have any doubt in your mind, any doubt, to trust god with one dollar, ten cents, twenty dollars, do it. Do it.   He will see you through the most difficult time and he will bless you.”