Elzennia Brown, Alta Loma, CA

I retired from law enforcement in December 2002 and had to go back to work in August 2005 due to family issues.  Last summer after a loss of necessary income, when a tenant moved out, I was burdened with extra bills. I looked at my finances, and determined that I could not afford to pay tithes. I continued going to church, working in Helps Ministry, praising him and stayed faithful to prayer and reading the word. I attended every Tuesday Bible Study and Sunday service, as well as the second service in Etiwanda. I continued to give offering but stopped paying tithes.

In August 2006, I received a promotion on my job at a private security company that handles loss prevention and anti-terrorism, but I was still challenged and it wasn't enough. On December 3rd, Pastor gave a message on Honoring God and said “Do you really trust that He will bless you?” It was the first service I had a chance to sit in on because normally I’m in children's church. Up to that point and during my prayer time and talking to God, I said, “I know you understand my heart and I want to give but don't have it.” In the message, Pastor mentioned that even though people say “God understands my heart,” All God really understands is what He puts in his word.

This was life changing for me. I almost fell out my chair! I immediately wrote out a tithe check. I knew in the natural I didn't have it, but I wrote it anyway. Then I continued to give God my first fruits in morning, I stayed focused, with no disturbances during prayer, praise and worship. No television, I just stayed focused.

The Lord had me read the 1st chapter of Haggai verse six and seven. He wanted to show me where I was. It says “You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways."

On December 21st, less than three weeks after stepping out on faith and honoring God with my tithe, My big boss came to me and said, “It’s time for a promotion”.  “But I just received a promotion in August,” I said. “I made a call, you don't even have to interview. I’m appointing you to the newly created position of Captain over the Southern California Region Area over March Air Force Base in Riverside, Ontario and LAX, effective December 22nd.

As a result of trusting God, I received two promotions in less than a year and a half. Praise His Name!