The Law of Reciprocity

Millionaire Says: Get Anywhere in Life You Want─From Wherever You Are

By Michelle Wilson
The 700 Club

CBN.com - Jerry and Paula Simon own a successful general contracting business in Chesapeake, Va.

"It's a new adventure every day," says Jerry. "You never know what's going to happen and what kind of jobs are going to come your way."

But several years ago, things weren't so great. Jerry's life spiraled into depression after the death of his baby and a breakup with his girlfriend. His successful painting business ended up in bankruptcy.

"And I just started losing business rapidly," says Jerry. "I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing. I didn't care if people were calling for new business. The quality of my work and everything that I did just dissipated into pretty much nothing. I was just in a void zone."

Paula had her own set of problems. After a painful divorce, she was taking care of three small children with no way to provide for them.

Paula recalls, "I didn't have any job skills. And it was hard for me to get a job. The jobs I could get didn't pay enough. Slowly, I went into depression and got into a lifestyle that I shouldn't have."

When Jerry and Paula met, they decided they wanted to try to make things work together. Soon after they married, Paula's dad gave me them a gift of $2,000 to restart the painting business.

Jerry recalls, "We threw together a couple of cheap ladders. We were working out of a car. And then maybe five or six months later, we purchased a van and that was a start."

Early in their marriage, they rededicated their lives to God and also started to tithe.

"My wife really showed me the importance of tithing," says Jerry. "And the more I tithed, the more I got back. It's just an amazing principle. We were just talking about tithing, and she pointed out to me that the Word says to give with a grateful heart and don't give begrudgingly. I didn't have to think about it long, just to realize the truth behind that."

Two years after opening, their company grew into a full-service painting and general contracting business.

Jerry remembers, "It didn't take me long to go from where it was just me and a helper out painting a house, to where I had other guys out doing repairs."

Within a decade, the Simons were doing $600,000 dollars worth of business a year!

Jerry recalls, "And I did and I increased my tithe. We've never had a down year. Every year has been ups since the day we started in business, including this one. It was just amazing, especially at that time, because the economy was probably at its worst here. But the more we made, the more we tithed and the more we gave back."

The more Jerry gives, the more his business profits grow. Last year, Jerry employed 40 employees and had a fleet of 13 vans. He did nearly two million dollars worth of business.

Jerry says, "When people ask me how we're doing so well in business, what is it? Well, it's God. It's surely not me; it's God. The secret of my success is tithing and giving back. Trust in God and move forward and follow the right principles. Follow God's principles and you can get to any position you want in your life from wherever you're at."

Being obedient to God's truth made an incredible difference for Jerry and Paula. 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.