I'm looking at a page from a desk calendar dated March 2nd, 1993. Its about 3x5 in size and I carry it with me in my Bible wherever I go to remind me of the ground God has taken in my life. It was on this date 27 years ago that I scribbled down a makeshift budget for me and my soon to be wife. House payment $650.00, food $120.00, utilities $115.00 and on down the line. At the very bottom of the list was $20.00 for church. I truly believed that God was my number one priority and I trusted Him with my marriage and my family and other important things. However, I was giving the cable company more than the Kingdom. It was my checkbook that ratted me out. And then my wife, God bless her, called me out. In my heart I knew that God deserved more, but l defended my position anyway. As the years went by, my family got more and more involved at our church. As we got closer to Jesus it became apparent that we were storing up treasures everywhere but the place that mattered most. So we did it. We wrote the check together. I'm not gonna lie, that first check was tough. I thought about all the things we could have done with that money. But God continued to show us that He had way better uses for it. Addictions were being overcome, marriages were being put back together, people were being baptized and set free from sin. Jesus has been Lord of our finances ever since. Giving to God is one of the best decisions we have ever made. He has used our resources for His glory and He has transformed my heart along the way. I jotted down another budget the other day. So much has changed. We don't have cable anymore and God has went from last on the list to first!

– Derek, Hannibal