The Riveras: The Definition of a Hundredfold

Victor Rivera had a good job working for the City of New York but his wife Alice’s dream was opening a travel agency. And she did! They took the equity out of their home to open the business and “All Tour” travel was born. But the travel agency never took off. The Riveras refinanced their house again and again to use every penny of equity to stay afloat. “It was very, very stressful when we were in that much debt,” says Alice. “We didn’t know what to do next. He was working full time, and I was trying to make the business work.” In addition to refinancing, the Riveras were forced to draw from a line of credit each month to pay the bills. In the end, the debt grew out of control and they had no choice but to close the travel agency. By that time, they were $235,000 in debt. Victor recalls, “We were suffocating. I couldn’t even sleep at night thinking how am I going to get out of this. There was no way out ... it was a dead end.” But Victor says God began to show him it didn’t have to be this way, that they needed to give 10 percent of their income away. To Victor, it seemed impossible. “’What do You want me to do? I don’t have the money! I’m borrowing $300 a month!’ And all the sudden I heard a voice [deep] down that said, ‘It’s my money.’ All the thoughts that were crazy things in my head were quiet. The next thing that came out of my mouth was ‘Let me see what I can do.’" The Riveras began giving to several ministries like CBN, as a 700 Club Gold member. Almost instantly, something happened to their need for the line of credit. “When I got the bank statement two weeks later and I went to balance out, I realized I didn’t have to borrow that month,” Victor says. The Riveras continued to give, and every month they were able to avoid drawing from their line of credit. “It was joy. It was something I’d never experienced before. We’d been in debt since we got married,” says Alice. Victor says, “I was excited about it, and I said, ‘I’m believing God that He is going to take care of this.’ I could see it! I was looking for places to give. I wanted to see that hundredfold come back to us.” The Riveras were about to witness “hundredfold” in a remarkably tangible way. They received a tax refund of $1,000 and decided to give it away. The following year when Victor retired, they sold their home for $340,000, which was $100,000 more than the appraisal! One hundredfold of their $1,000 gift. The Riveras were able to pay off the entire $235,000 in debt and buy their home in Florida with cash. Victor says, “Now we can say, thank God — because of God we are debt-free!” Something they never thought possible. Victor continues, “I would tell anyone that the first thing they have to do is tithe. See what God will do for you. Just take that step of faith, and you’ll see how fast He’ll come to you. It’s just amazing.” God wants to bless you too, just as He has blessed the Riveras for their faithfulness. 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.