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In Christ’s love,
Latest Post
- The $20 that turned into $2,525
I’m trying to raise significant funding over the next three years for several ministry projects. When I think about the size of the need, I can get overwhelmed. But then I remember what happened two months ago on my trip to India…
I was surrounded by great needs, and I met wonderful people doing wonderful projects. But what could I do? I was the guest of a friend or I wouldn’t have been able to go at all.
I asked one man about his project and how he was doing with funding it. He told me he had raised $7,000 but still needed more than $2,000 to complete it ($2,525, to be exact, which I only learned later, as you’ll see).
I didn’t have $2,000. But I did have $20. I sat down with him, gave him the $20, and prayed that God would multiply it “a hundred-fold.”
The next week, he wrote this note to my friend who had invited me on the trip:
“I want to share something that has deeply moved my heart. The seeds you and Eric sowed into my project are already bearing fruit in ways I did not expect so soon. When Eric gave me $20, he did it with prayer and faith, trusting God for multiplication. That same day, you blessed me with $40. Then, within just a few days, someone pledged $400, another gave $1,000, and finally, one more person gave $1,065. Step by step, provision came; until I reached exactly $2,525, the precise amount I needed. I cannot ignore the hand of God in this. It has strengthened my faith in a very personal and real way.”
I was stunned! But I shouldn’t have been. God had done what we asked… and more!
Not every $20 turns into $2,525. Sometimes it turns into something more! I gave two other $20 gifts on that trip, and this is what I heard back from those people.
One said:
“Thank you so much for your gift, your love, and your kindness toward me. I truly appreciate everything from my heart. Honestly, I felt a little sad after receiving your gift, because in my heart I felt that since you came to our country, we should serve and bless you, not take anything from you. I even felt sorry about accepting it. But then I received it as a blessing and a gift from you with gratitude and love. Thank you so much again for your generosity, care, and encouragement. It truly means a lot to me.”
Another said:
“It may seem small, but to me it is a great blessing and encouragement. Your words touched my heart deeply. I believe God will multiply this seed into many blessings and use it for His glory. May God richly bless you and your family for your loving and giving heart.”
God connected our hearts with those gifts, which oftentimes is worth more than the gifts themselves.
Sharing our “treasure” connects us together.
As the Bible says:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
You might think your gift doesn’t matter. But as I learned from these three stories, each of those gifts mattered, deeply!
If I hadn’t given, we all would have missed out on what God was wanting to do.
I love that God invites us to give. He doesn’t force us. He wants us to give freely and cheerfully. As the Bible says:
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
And THAT makes all the difference.
What can you give this week to a person or project that you could do with a smile on your face AND in your heart? I know you have many needs around you. I do too.
But rather than being overwhelmed by the needs, just ask, “What can I do? And what can I do cheerfully?” Then do it! I’d love to hear your stories of what God does through your cheerful gifts.
And as I mentioned at the start of this letter, I’m beginning fundraising for some significant projects over the next three years to share the hope of Christ around the world through books, music, movies, and more.
My goal is big… $900,000 over the next three years to cover everything. But the truth is, if everyone reading this gave $20 a year for the next three years, ALL those projects would be fully funded.
The beauty is, no one has to give it all. And I don’t need it all today. But if everyone gives what they can, when they can, and with cheer, I can continue reaching tens of thousands of people with the HOPE of Jesus Christ for years to come!
If you’d like to give today, here’s a link where you can donate online or by cash or check.
https://theranch.org/make-a-donation/And if you can’t give today but would like to commit to sending a gift when you can (perhaps $20 a year over the next three years? or $200? or $2,000!), I’d love to hear that, too! Knowing that others believe in these projects and want to be part of them is a tremendous encouragement.
Thank you! Your gifts and love and prayers truly sustain me.
Love,
Eric Elder writes for page, stage & screen to glorify God’s name so Christ may be seen! Reply to write to Eric. Use this link to subscribe or unsubscribe.