GOD'S ECONOMY

$64,000 Debt—Paid Off in Under Two Years

By Ken Hulme
The 700 Club

When Jacob and Tiffany Hopwood of Euless TX said “I do” in 2012, they were confronted their combined debt of $64,000 dollars. Tiffany explained.

“We both had significant student loan debt. I had been paying on my ten years and didn’t have even half of it paid off,” she told CBN.

“Several months went by,” added Jacob, “and I decided that it would be nice if we didn’t have that gorilla on our back, and wouldn’t it be nice if we paid it all off?”

It was also during their first year together that the couple learned about tithing at church.

“You know when you’re not tithing, in your mind all your money’s yours,” said Tiffany. “Ten percent is a lot of money. It really is. So to go from nothing to ten percent is a huge deal. It was scary, it was definitely scary”

Right after they started tithing, what had started out as a hobby for Tiffany hobby, quickly turned into a business!

“I think God was showing me that you have these talents that I can use. I’d always been doing photography, but never for money,” she said.

“I started my photography business the same year we started tithing,” she added. “At the end of the year when I was doing our taxes, I was stunned because adding up the revenue from my business; it was the exact amount of the tithe.”

Tiffany actually works full time as a CPA and does some tax returns on the side. Jacob works in the real estate rental market where they live.

But even with their combined income, they still struggled to pay off their debt. They continued to tithe. Then, Tiffany got laid off from her accounting job!

“Oh there’s definitely fear involved. Definitely fear involved in losing your job,” she said.

That layoff, however, would turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

“I got an enormous severance,” Tiffany told us, “and I got a new job with a very large increase."

At that point the couple decided to give even more.

“We were watching the telethon one night and I felt like God told me, ‘You need to give to the 700 Club,'” said Tiffany.

So they 700 Club Gold at $40 a month using pledge express. With help from her severance and the boost from her higher salary, Jacob and Tiffany took bold steps to pay off the balance of the $64-thousand dollar debt.

“One year and four months after I was laid off we had completely paid it off,” said Tiffany showing us the spreadsheet.

And as they continue to tithe and give to CBN, Tiffany’s photography business is continuing to grow when others are struggling.

“I know a lot of photographers now who say ‘I don’t know how you’re getting so many weddings!’ I’ve been able to book more and more wedding every year,” she added.

And she is seeing growth in her other business too!

“I would say I probably have double the number of customers in my tax business than I had before. I’m beyond busy with opportunities for income!” she declared.

Recently, to celebrate paying off their debt, they took some of their EXTRA cash and went on vacation!

“We’re so grateful now that we’re out of debt so that we can give to the places that we want to give to,” said Tiffany. And CBN is doing such wonderful things around the world and we’re grateful to be part of that!”

Being obedient to God's truth made an incredible difference for the Hopwoods. They made themselves available for God's love to flow through them to others, and they are reaping a blessing themselves as well. Join them in partnering with CBN. You will make a difference in lives around the world, through medical missions, food and clothing programs, humanitarian outreaches and so much—all in the name of Jesus. Please join today.

• Find your way to peace with God
• Send us your prayer request online
• Call The 700 Club Prayer Center at 1 (800) 700-7000, 24 hours a day.

A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.