9/11 Survivor Gives Back to God

For Tony and Joann DiMaso, each day they have together is a gift, and every meal a reason to celebrate.

“This last bout of cancer to my lung and my breast have really helped me to lean on Christ – to know that I cannot do this alone,” said Joann.

Tony survived the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. In fact, that experience led both of them to give their lives to Christ.  

“The Lord basically pulled me out of there and kept me safe and so from that, Joann and I started to say, ‘You know what? God has done so much for us that we've got to do more than we're doing,’” said Tony. 

For them, that meant following God’s Word.
 
Tony recalls, “It started to become clear to us that if we're going to take the Bible as the Word of God, that every word in it is important. And we have to walk in obedience, and that obedience includes tithing.”

At first they wondered how they could trim their tight family budget so they could tithe.

“We would purchase things and we would pay our bills. We were always even; if anything we were always owing money. We had debt,” explained JoAnn. Tony added, “You know, we were touch and go. We always seemed to have just enough. So I didn't know how the numbers were going to work out, but I just knew that at the end of the day they would work out.” 

After a year of faithfully tithing, Tony brought home some good news.

JoAnn sighed and said, "The compensation plan at work changed and I've waited my whole career for this and now all of a sudden money's coming in that we had never, never expected or counted on.” Tony was quick to point out that “To me it's no coincidence that it came together about the same time.”       

That taught them a valuable lesson. Tithing and giving have been a priority ever since.  Not long ago, the couple became CBN partners.  

Tony said, “Knowing all the work that CBN is doing, we're only more convinced as we continue to watch the show and continue to track the performance of CBN as a whole, that we’re absolutely in the right place with the contributions we make.”

JoAnn agreed by saying, “I would absolutely encourage everyone to become a CBN partner because what CBN is doing is what God has called us all to do – to take care of the orphans and the widows, and the poor, to feed My sheep and clothe them.”

They also encourage people to trust God’s Word.

Tony concluded by saying, “Malachi 3:10 says, ‘Bring your tithes to My storehouse. Let My house be filled with food and then test Me on it and see if I don't pour out far more than you'll ever contribute.’”

Being obedient to God's truth made an incredible difference for Tony and JoAnn. They made themselves available for God's love to flow through then to others, and they are reaping a blessing themselves as well. Join them in partnering with CBN. You will make a difference in lives around the world, through medical missions, food and clothing programs, humanitarian outreaches and so much -- all in the name of Jesus. Please join today.