This is a true story of a time when God helped me. But, first I want to share related Scriptures.
Lean on God for small things so that you will learn to trust him and all issues. (Luke 19:17 and Luke 16:10)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Seek ye first the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 6:33)
Lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
The Father knows your needs before you ask. (Matthew 6:8)
You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Give unto the Lord in private and He will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-4)
GOD’S GIFT God demonstrates Himself to us by His guidance and His care.
This is a story of how God helped me at a time of need. I worked my way through college, earning from summer and weekend jobs. Prior to my junior year (1983), my summer earnings were low. By late October, the realization came that my money would run out. I would need to find more work and reduce my class load to make it through the year. This could extend my college stay, add further duration and expense, and probably make me forfeit my scholarship. These thoughts were on my mind as I sat down in church. I listened to the service. Then, it came time for the collection. I had $10 on me and a few hundred in the bank. It was my habit to put $5 in the collection. The temptation came to mind, “just give a dollar or something less than five.”
At that point I recalled the parable of the woman who gave her all, though merely a pence. Jesus asked, “who gave more the woman, or the man who gave more money but only a fraction of his livelihood?” You know the answer. So, I said a prayer: “Dear God help me through this hardship, guide me to do what you need me to do; give me the courage to accept my situation.” Then, I deposited my full $5. After church I walked home. Along the way in the gutter was a $10 bill. There was no one around to ask if they had lost it; so, I kept it. It became a sign that God was going to help me. I went home and about my college routine.
In a few weeks, a notice informed me that I would receive a special grant in addition to my academic scholarship. The amount filled all my needs ($1,000 for semester). I never requested the grant, nor recall sharing my situation. I feel definite that there was divine intervention. From that point forward, I earned enough summer money and eventually got by without working weekends. Also, I finished the engineering program in four years as planned.