“We’ll never forget how the “Ten Dollar Challenge” began. Our daughters opened the envelopes and were they ever surprised to find a REAL ten dollar bill inside. Immediately they both said, “Let’s have a Bake Sale!” The girls asked a few more friends from four other families, if they would like to join in. Everyone wanted to bake together but no one had a kitchen big enough, so we decided to use the church. Through it all, a great time was had by the whole crew. The day of the Sale finally came. The children were so excited; we all got to church early, which is a rarity. It was a huge success! Please use this money for God’s work. It is given by many cheerful hearts!” Signed, Six Happy Families

U       Two families put on a Sunday night concert.

U       Another family clipped coupons and donated the savings.

U       Our youth leader sponsored a basketball tournament.

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of gold said, ‘sir, you gave me five bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ (Matthew 25:19-21)

“Our three families took a combined $30.00 along with the help of fellow employees and we put on a luncheon to benefit our local Free Clinic. This small seed planted, resulted in over $800.00 in contributions. The only word to describe it is AWESOME. “

U One Sunday school class organized a bus trip and donated the profits.

U A local artist offered to provide an oil painting or portrait for a raffle winner and raised $1000.

U Many families used the money to buy supplies and sold crafts or baked goods.

“I am an amateur herpetologist and spend my spare time raising and breeding reptiles. My idea is to buy feeders with the ten dollars for my animals. As they begin to breed, lay eggs, and have babies, I will take the money made from a clutch of babies and give it back to the church.”

U Several taught special classes on finance or donated computer expertise.

U A group of children made and sold snow cones.

U Two families purchased baby chickens to send to an underdeveloped country.

“Next came the servant who had received the two bags of gold, with the report, ‘sir, you gave me two bags of gold to invest, and I have doubled the amount.’ The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ (Matthew 25:22-23)

“I interpreted the $10 challenge in a different way. I thought of how many people might be reached with a total cost of only $10. I teach college students and we are not allowed to witness in words but actions are okay so here’s what I did. I took my $10 and bought 60 rolls of sweet n’ sour candy that had wrappers with verses from the Bible on them. Any student would have to at least see and read the words in order to open the wrapper. I also passed out several contemporary Christian CDs. Those two actions allowed me to silently witness to 62 different college students. I was so happy!” Sharon

U One family gave up fancy coffee and another fast food breakfasts then donated the savings.

U Another group pooled their money and sold goods at a flea market.

U Several groups sponsored and cooked dinners or breakfasts.

The biggest surprise came from a contractor as he announced during our celebration service: “I feel led by God to build a church for my $10 challenge!” One year ago, Lawyers Missionary Baptist Church was blown away by a tornado. During that time, they have been meeting in our church. We didn’t really believe it at first but donations have poured in and soon there will be a new church to celebrate.

What were the results? Thousands of dollars raised for church ministry and other charitable organizations, plus a brand new church building and all wrapped up in a project which involved hundreds of people with valuable experiences for us to treasure. Not a bad lesson for just $10.

Dear Pastor Davies, I wanted to let you know that the prayers of your prayer team are really being felt! I don’t have time to reply to them all, but would you let them all know that God is working on me, even as I type this, and is rebuilding our relationship. I have all the reason to be scared, and to feel helpless but I don’t. I know He is there. I appreciate all the prayers. Please don’t stop!! And THANK YOU, because without this type of ministry, I might’ve fallen through the cracks and things could have been quite worse. God Bless all of You! -Maria Weissbord

Categories: Devotions