By David Duisberg | November 4, 2021
Throughout the years and continuing to present day, I am learning about the power of generosity, especially in following prompts from God to be generous. A significant way that God invites me to be generous is through his divine signs to meet specific needs, almost spontaneously at times. At some level I think everyone is called to do the same as followers of Jesus. This kind of giving requires faith because we may never know the difference we’re making when we respond to God’s prompts. Let me illustrate this through a story in my life.
In California where I live, one of my favorite stations to listen to is “Lead Me to the Rock Radio” streaming online from Sacramento. For many years now, LMttR has consistently played a Spirit-filled lineup of Christian music, including some lesser-known songs. On top of that it features faith, culture, and news features every half hour. It’s a blessing in my life. Despite all this, had I ever donated to the station? Nope. Not until I got a tug on the sleeve, so to speak.
One day I was listening to LMttR when the proprietor of the station made a brief appeal for donations. Something caught my attention. I got the prompting from God that I was supposed to donate $1,000 to the station. In the same way I talk myself out of any kind of luxurious or discretionary day-to-day spending, so I talked myself out of such a large donation.
A day went by, and the nagging feeling didn’t go away. Prayers for confirmation (wet fleece/dry fleece) came back confirmed – I believed I should donate. I sent a donation and got a lovely confirmation email from the proprietor himself, wanting to confirm that I hadn’t put on an “extra zero.” I wrote back to confirm it was the correct amount, and I was really glad I did.
At the time of my deliberations about whether to give or not, the station had begun selling off studio production equipment to keep financially afloat as long as possible. Their Board of Directors even convened a meeting to decide whether to continue. Unbeknownst to me, as they were meeting, I felt another “tug on my sleeve” to donate more money to the station. I honored this nudge by giving an additional $45. Evidently, the Board was amazed that my donation came in during their meeting with pretty much the exact amount they needed to clear the books for the month.
The Board decided this was a divine sign that they were to continue their work. Here is a thought that the proprietor shared with me on email at that time: “Thank you again for your support, financially and prayerfully. We are very happy to have received your donation today. That 45 dollars helped keep the station going. There was a real possibility to have to leave the air this very day. Your financial contribution filled an immediate need as a critical bill was paid with your donation.”
Those two donations were given over a decade ago, and Lead Me to the Rock has been successfully delivering Christian music ever since. When we follow God’s leading with our generosity, our giving becomes so much more meaningful because we’re doing it from God’s agenda. Years ago, listening to God’s prompts blessed me with a very powerful generosity moment. To this day I try to be led by God’s nudges because I know listening to him is only the beginning of amazing stories that are yet untold.
David Duisberg is a teacher who lives near Pasadena, CA. He is a faithful member of St. Luke’s Anglican in Montrose. Recently married to his beloved wife, Jessica, they make a home with their sweet little dog, Lisa. Together, the three of them enjoy welcoming others into their home for shared meals, fellowship and prayer. Running trails is a central form of meditation and prayer for him. Mostly, he has been fascinated by the generosity of God, including how He never gives us anything too soon.
