Hello Pastor,

I HAVE A TESTIMONY – a 51.5% increase!

This is the shortened version, the full one spans a few pages.

Firstly, I’ve grown up in church. I’m saved, but I hadn’t had my own financial breakthrough testimony. No “wow, that’s a miracle.” This year (2025), I wanted one. Bible study season started with Victorious Christian Living and it really set the stage. I said, “God, I’ll have faith!” (Luke 11:9; Matthew 7:7).

In August, the ushers went to Zwolle (I could ramble on about what a blessing this was). Sian and I gave more than we had planned. We truly believed God was involved, but we didn’t see the fruit of what we’d sown in the way we wanted.

October came and it was conference time. We were still rebuilding our savings off the back of giving in Zwolle. Our bank accounts were low. Because I was ushering, I missed sermons and offerings, so the week after conference, I began listening back. Ps Scott Lamb, money! Ps Greg, money! I thought, “Surely not, God we’re rebuilding.”

I clicked on another sermon: Ps Brown preaching in South Africa. Wonderful. I just wanted the sermon… but why was the offering still on the recording? LOL. I couldn’t stop wriggling as you continued.

I got home from work and opened our bank account. “How much do I give? This is what I need to get through the month. This is what I need in case anything goes wrong.” Soon enough, I had whittled my offering down to something insignificant.

It hit me. How can I want God’s blessing and hand in our finances, when I’m the one pushing His hand further away? Expecting God to do wonders with the minimal I was offering, felt like an ideal get-rich-quick scheme. I give You SMALL, God, you give me back BIG! I had removed God from our money under the title of “good stewardship.”

The widow and the two mites came to mind. This was my two mites’ moment. Although the amount was more, the principle remained the same. “God, I’m not going to negotiate You down or barter with what I’m giving. We’re giving this and believing You’ll bring the provision needed” (Matthew 6:26–34).

We gave it from our bedroom. Nothing happened then and there, but morning prayer was different. I was seeking God differently. I was praying for God to provide, because we truly needed Him. From October to December, I remained constant.

I was due a pay review, but no amount had been discussed and no formal date agreed. I started praying for a figure, but I felt God prodding me to increase the number. I did. Then on December 13th, no meeting, no negotiating, no back-and-forth, no proving why I’m such a good employee. Just breakfast, and “Ross, here’s your new salary.”

The figure I felt prodded to pray for was the exact figure on my new contract, a 51.5% increase!

I’ve never been someone who fully understood blind faith, to give all. But now I know He is the God of provision. It’s real to me and it’s personal. My faith has only increased, expectant of far greater things than I can imagine.

With God at the centre, I know we’re in safe hands. I’m a steward and God's not taking our finances, but He is very much involved in where our finances go.

Kind Regards

Ross