Unexpected Gifts Follow Faithful Giving

Years before she married, Armida Torres decided to accept God’s invitation in Malachi 3:10 and trust Him more completely. She began returning an additional 10 percent of her income as a regular offering.

Not long afterward, business at work began to slow. Coworkers were seeing their hours reduced, and uncertainty filled the workplace. Then her boss called her into his office.

"I know it doesn't make sense,” he said, “but I am giving you a raise.” 

“It didn't make sense to him,” Torres says, “but it made perfect sense to me."

Today, Torres and her husband continue to live by a simple conviction: "We would rather live on 80 percent with God's blessing than 100 percent without Him."

Recently, another opportunity to trust God came when their growing family needed a second vehicle. With two daughters attending El Paso Adventist Academy, finances were already stretched, and they hoped to avoid taking on a car payment.

Torres prayed specifically, asking God for a full-size SUV that would meet their family's needs. Soon afterward, a close family friend mentioned he was planning to sell his SUV. Although its estimated value was around $10,000, the friend unexpectedly lowered the price to $7,000 while they were discussing it. Torres’ father generously offered to pay half, making the purchase possible.

Then another unexpected blessing arrived. Just days later, the girls' principal called to share that someone had anonymously contributed $5,000 toward their tuition. The gift covered more than the remaining tuition balance they had been preparing to pay, freeing resources that made purchasing the family vehicle possible.

Torres does not focus on the numbers as much as the God behind them.

"We are not rich," she says, "but our Father in heaven is the King of Kings and owns the universe."

‍