How to Come Back From a Financial Crisis
“We didn't have enough to gas up the car,” Sergio confesses. “Not being able to buy milk, and Stefanie, a few times found herself in the store looking if she could find loose change down the aisles, to see if we could get that next piece of bread.”
That’s what happened to the Mirandas when Stefanie lost her job, and Sergio lost his overtime.
Sergio sighs, “I just felt ashamed of not being able to provide for my family.”
Meanwhile, Stefanie racked up some hefty medical bills, and the couple ended up with $25,000 of debt. They deferred mortgage payments for as long as they could, but ultimately had to short sale their home.
Stefanie remembers, “It was really hard to the point that we were crying and on our knees.”
The Mirandas are Christians and had been giving at church for years.
“The Word of God says in Psalms 24 that ‘the Earth is the Lord's and everything in it’, explains Sergio. He continues, “Tithing is very important to God because it shows Him that you trust in Him.”
So even though it was hard, they kept giving during these tough times.
Stefanie expounds, “I wanted us, and he wanted us, to be obedient.”
Soon, Sergio got a 20% raise.
Stefanie recounts, “He says, ‘I can't explain it.’ And I said, ‘I believe the Lord blessed us because we've been so faithful in our tithing.’”
Shortly after that, he got another promotion- this time with a 40% raise!
“Financially it set us up way above and we were able to just wipe out the rest of the debt that we had,” exclaims Sergio. “And it's been great ever since.”
Today, Sergio makes enough money that Stefanie doesn’t have to work. And since they’ve paid down their debt, they once again own their own home. And now they give on top of their tithe to CBN.
“We saw that they genuinely had a heart for God's people and to be able to help. And that touches my heart more than anything,” says Stefanie.
Sergio adds, “Whenever there's a storm or some natural disaster that happens, 700 Club is on the grounds. They're assisting people, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The Mirandas enjoy sharing the resources God has given them, and they encourage others with money struggles to try giving, as well.
“If you really want to see change, definitely tithe,” Stefanie suggests.
Sergio concludes, “Trust God. Hand Him your finances. You give that back to Him, and He'll just blow your mind.”
