by Jeck F. Maog
When I first heard of the Every Nation Building Phase 2 project at a building banquet at Victory Fort last November 2011, I was excited to be a part of it, but also a bit hesitant to make a public declaration to pledge. At the time, I was more than a year into believing God for promotion at China Bank, and, while I never doubted God would deliver, I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of formally pledging.
Nevertheless, I decided in my heart that I wanted to participate, telling God I would give my entire gross increase for one year if and when I got promoted.
I received my promotion a month later.
So I began giving to the Every Nation Building Phase 2 Project, starting January 2012, giving online through the project’s credit card facility because it was easy and automatic.
Two months into giving, my father was diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, a condition that stresses out the spine. He needed immediate surgery on the C1 and C2 parts of his spine. The next few months were a draining time for the entire family, financially and emotionally, but God always provided, and my giving to the Every Nation Building Phase 2 fund wasn’t affected.
In September 2012, I received another increase, this time, the result of a favorable performance appraisal. I was soon prompted by the Holy Spirit to raise my giving to Php10,000 per month, increasing the monthly pledge by Php1,300, plus a one-time Php11,700 to cover the first nine months of 2012. Before I could even question where I would get this money, the Holy Spirit reminded me of my recent increase, and the nominal amount was so much more than the additional Php1,300. When I sat down to compute my increases for the year — for the promotion and for the performance appraisal — the total increase, net of tax, was still more than the Php10,000 the Lord asked me to give.
I continued to give, and the Lord continued to provide.
When 2013 started, I decided to give the remaining balance of the 25-month pledge, and the Lord paved the way for me to be able to sell some of my stock options at a 150% profit. Despite big credit card payables, I gave the remaining Php120,000 happily in one lump sum. I then paid all my credit card bills.
Knowing I am contributing to something bigger makes me happy and contented. I told myself,
We cannot boast of whatever we give to the Lord’s work.
He is the one who equips us for it.
Everything we have comes from Him.
We are merely GIVING BACK to him
a very small portion of what He gives us.The author (third from right) with friends from her Victory group
In retrospect, I realize once again that the Lord provides more than what He asks of us to give. In my case, He provided twice as much, well in advance. It is a joy and privilege to participate in His work, and I will always be thankful for the love and presence of a God Who so generously, amazingly, audaciously provides.