As the saying goes, "We make a living by what we get; and we live a life by what we give." Many church members have chosen to adopt a lifestyle of giving—sowing freely and willingly into the work of the kingdom—and God has blessed them abundantly in return, prospering not only financially, but in their marriages, relationships and careers as well.

BUILDING HIS LIFE AND COMPANY ON GOD'S PRINCIPLES

Waliju Hanafi is an entrepreneur dealing with retail in Papua New Guinea. He became part of the City Harvest family since 1993, and the first area God dealt with 'in his life was in the area of finances. The Lord convicted him to return 10 years of outstanding company taxes which amounted to a whopping US$1.5 million. Nevertheless, God is faithful, and within that same year, the company made a profit that was equivalent to that of the previous 10 years added together.

Other than being a faithful tither and a generous giver to the work of the church, he also actively participates in the building fund. Over the years, he has given close to $6 million to the Lord, and in return, he has been blessed a total of $30 million. He says, "I've learned that when I build God's house, He will also build my house."

Apart from being involved in ministering to the needs of the residents in Papua New Guinea, he also shares the Word with prison inmates there regularly. In addition, he holds weekly leadership training sessions for his staff. Wahju explains, "I see myself as a 'pastor' to my staff ... all the materials I use for the training sessions are from City Harvest.

My marriage and family are veiy important to me too. My wife helps to provide stability at home and maintain the relationships I have with my children. In fact right now, two of my daughters are already involved in running the business. So with the family taken care of, I can focus on expanding my business freely."

Regarding building a church in the marketplace, he adds, "As businessmen, we should be ready to give and invest. This will be our best investment as we are building a legacy for our next generation."

SHINING IN THE MARKETPLACE FOR GOD

Macy Home Furnishings is one of the market leaders in curtain retailing in Malaysia. With an emphasis on innovative customer service and effective sales promotion, the company has grown from its humble beginnings of a single staff member to a hundred staff in less than six years, earning an impressive turnover of 13.4 million ringgit annually. The director of this company is Choong Kar Weng, who started attending City Harvest Church in 1995.

With a desire to be grounded in the Word of God, Kar Weng enrolled himself into City Harvest Bible Training Center and now attributes his success to the time he spent there. "It is through applying the principles I learned in Bible school, church and from Pastor Kong that I've built my life and the company," he says.

One of the principles that he constantly sees at work in his life is the principle of sowing and reaping. "My wife Sharon and I are faithful tithers, and we have been giving to all the building fund campaigns "fever since we joined City Harvest Church. I remember there were two occasions in the past when we felt God challenging us to empty our bank accounts. But God is faithful and He has never failed us. Although we pledged more than our income then, somehow we managed to not only get by, but to prosper as well!" shares Kar Weng.

Today, Kar Weng is a millionaire, with a successful business and a strong marriage and family life. He says with much gratitude, "I know my purpose in life now. Looking back, we believe that it's the spirit of giving that has brought my wife and I to where we are. You never give up even in difficult times and God will honor you for that. Sharon, my son Joshua and I still travel to City Harvest from across the causeway about once every fortnight to attend its weekend services. City Harvest is the church that we grew up with and it is our spiritual home."

SCHOOL DROPOUT BECAME OWNER OF SEVEN BUSINESSES

Martin Ong was a secondary school dropout who started his first job after serving National Service in the seafood wholesale business and in restaurant work,. He did this for seven years, and earned S$2,000 dollars each month.

In 1998, Martin and his wife Paullyn came to City Harvest Church and received Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Faith filled their hearts and they began to believe that they too could prosper in life. When they participated in their first building fund in 1999, God challenged them to giveS$10,000."We were both one-year old Christians and had no money in the bank. We were in debt and our monthly income was barely enough to cover our loans and expenses. But our hearts were burning with a great love for God and His house. We didn't want to give Him anything that cost us nothing," recalls Martin.

In order to fulfill their pledges, Martin sacrificed his time and took up a second job as a used car salesman. In the very first two months, his commission from car sales was already S$10,000. In addition, Paullyn's sales commission tripled as well.

After that miracle, there was no turning back. They gave increasingly to the work of God year after year while continuing to prosper. Today, Martin oversees seven companies, with his car business earning an annual turnover of more than S$10 million, while Paullyn is a shareholder in her own profitable IT company.

"Prosperity is more than just having money. It is truly a blessing to see my parents-in-law, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law saved and serving the Lord together with us in this great church. And we have three healthy and beautiful children who all love the Lord!" says Paullyn.

In retrospect, Martin says, "Who would have thought that the part-time car salesman job that I took on to give more to the building fund a few years ago would become a multi-million dollar business today! God did exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine!"

PROMOTION IN LIFE

Having struggled in his studies, John Ng was a late bloomer in life, only starting work at the age of 27 years old. The first job he took in 1999 was as a sales consultant, and the paycheck was S$l,300.

In 2001, John Ng and Venetia Puah got married. However, due to poor financial planning, they incurred around S$24,000 in credit card debt right at the start of their marriage. "This really put a terrible strain on bur relationship in the early years. We would argue over the smallest issues concerning money. Every dollar we received at the end of each month was barely enough to finance our loans and credit card debts," recalls Venetia.

During that time, the church was also in its season of raising funds for its new building. Pastor Kong Hee taught a series of messages on wise budgeting and the importance of sowing his faith to build God a house. "We decided to tighten our belts, plan wisely and focus on what we could do for the Lord rather than be limited by our circumstances," says Venetia. Pledging to give S$5,000 to the campaign, they stuck to a strict budget so that they could join the church to sacrifice and give despite their financial situation.

"And God was so good to us! His blessings started to pour in and we began to see a breakthrough," remembers John. That same year, he found a new position as a Career Consultant, and has been experiencing promotions every year since. In addition, his salary increased by 40 percent that year and has continued to see a 40 percent increment without fail annually. The weight of debt was lifted off their shoulders completely within a short three years.

Subsequently, John and Venetia continued to give increasingly to the Lord and were blessed with substantial pay increments and promotions in their workplaces. Now, John oversees regional projects that give him numerous opportunities to travel to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand. Venetia also received the opportunity to work with an ambassador at Government level.

In the midst of their busy careers, they still serve actively as cell group leaders. "Looking back, John and I stand amazed at how God has blessed us time and time again ever since we started participating in our very first building fund campaign. For us, the campaign always marks a time when God is closer to us than ever before and we always can see His miracles at work so evidently in our lives," exclaims Venetia.

DOCTOR TRAINED IN ADVANCED THEOLOGY

Chan Kok Yew is a medical doctor serving the Lord in the marketplace as well as an active member in CHC's Business Breakthrough Group.

"City Harvest Church is the best thing that has happened to me besides receiving Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. The anointing in church is very strong, and it gives me a new hunger for the Lord. Also, I have never given so much in such a short period of time," relates Kok Yew. Including tithes, offerings and the building fund, he has given close to S$90,000 in the last one year since he joined the church.

"And God's promises never fail. As I gave, He began to work financial miracles for me. I started a medical supplies company with a couple of friends. We deal with disposable latex gloves, masks and underpants. The turnover was half a million dollars when we first started. Today, by God's grace, we have become the sole supplier to all hospitals in Singapore. Our turnover is now more than S$7 million!" he said. Kok Yew also made a profit of more than a million dollars in the property market.

This year, he enrolled into Bible school to dedicate one year of his life to know more about God. He had to hire a doctor to cover his medical duties while he was away, incurring an additional expense of S$50,000. "But God never shortchanges us. He provided other means of income for me, through investments, stocks and currency trading, that amounted to more than the expenses incurred!" he says.

"The blessing of God ' has been flowing non-stop. And I know much of it is attributed to my giving to Him in the form of tithes, offerings and the church building fund. From the day I first gave to the building fund, God has already blessed me with more than S$2 million in total. I am excited with what God is going to do in this year's building fund campaign!"

BLESSED TO HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH

In 1998, Lim Teck Chuan and Brenda Chong joined City Harvest Church, a place in which they grew spiritually, participated in ministry, and eventually developed to become leaders. In these eight years, they also participated in all the building fund campaigns, and have been greatly blessed each time.

God was indeed faithful to bless them. Three days after pledging in the 2005 Arise and Build campaign, Teck Chuan received news that there would be a pay increment for his entire firm. In addition, despite being one of the youngest computer software engineers in the team, Teck Chuan received recognition for his outstanding performance and was given additional bonus. Furthermore, he was blessed with a second pay increment within a span of a few months. The financial blessing added up to more than S$10,000, enabling them to fulfill the pledge for 2005 all at once.

Moreover, even in the midst of her maternity leave, Brenda was blessed with a promotion and a pay increment of 20 percent! "We can buy a car now and even clear our home loan within just five years!" exclaims a jubilant Brenda.

Teck Chuan adds, "God not only provides for our necessities. He blesses us to live out Deuteronomy 28:12, which says, 'The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.'"

HAVING THE DESIRE TO GIVE

Mok Tuck Onn and Grace Ng first joined City Harvest Church in the year 2000. "Since then, we have participated in all five Arise and Build pledges. And every time, it is a time to hear the voice of God and a time to stretch our faith," says Tuck Onn.

"I remember when our family first came to CHC in December 2000, the building fund campaign was already over. However, I was determined not to miss out on the opportunity to give to the house of God, so I gave a four figure amount to the building fund using the AXS machine."

Last year, Tuck Onn and Grace continued to pledge generously to the building fund with a five figure amount, believing that when they build the house of God, He will build theirs too. And all things indeed work for the good of those who love Him. Says Grace, "God blessed us in many areas. Our relationship has never been better. We even reaffirmed our marriage vows in church during the marriage seminar taught by Pastor Kong. We also enjoy intimate relationships with our children. Truly, Jesus came so that we can have an abundant life."

The couple also enjoyed numerous financial blessings. In April 2005, Tuck Onn started work at a new company as a regional business development director for Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Although the market situation was very tough, within 12 months, Tuck Onn achieved major breakthrough deals in Indonesia and Malaysia. Subsequently, despite being in the job for less than 14 months, he was promoted to be the director of North Asia. Moreover, in less than four months after taking up the position, he has already met his sales target.

Tuck Onn not only builds his career, he is also actively involved in the building of God's kingdom by going on mission trips. "Many people ask Grace and I how we find the time and energy to go on such trips. I tell them that the Word of God is true: 'With Him all things are possible!'" HT