10 Buck Challenge!

[Ryan May]

In Matthew 25 Jesus tells a story of a master giving three servants a certain amount of money to multiply for his kingdom. Two of the servants reinvest the gift and are rewarded. One buries it and ends up with nothing to show.

On Sunday, July 26th we put $10 in the hands of those who attended The Net. Now, we want to know what happened to the money. How were you able to multiply it? What need were you able to fill? Whose life were you able to touch? Share your story below…

If you missed the service and would still like to accept the challenge – consider reinvesting $10 of your own money into the community… After all, it’s all the Master’s anyway, right?

[Dale Bolton]

Awesome challenge, what an innovative way to share God! As I left church this morning, I whispered a prayer that God would put someone in my path this week that I could share a $10 investment. As I've come to know, when you ask for this you better be ready to act. On my way home from church, I noticed this person standing in a parking lot selling Sunday papers. She was wearing tattered clothing and looked very weathered. I had that familiar tug that this was my opportunity! I pulled up, greeted her, and she handed me a newspaper. I gave her the $10, and she said she didn't have change for it. I told her I didn't need any change and she was most surprised. I just simply told her that God loved her, and asked her if she knew God. Still surprised, she replied, "Yes, but its been a while." I encouraged her to reconnect with God, and that He's ready to meet her right where she is! By this time, she was smiling and actually glowing. I drove off, looked back and she was still smiling. I have no doubt that God will use this "seed" to re-spark her God thoughts.

I really enjoyed this. Can't wait to hear what everyone else encounters!!

[Ryan May]

Dale. Thanks for being a part of The Net family. Loved the story... Glad to see you putting the Challenge to work so quickly!

[Ryan May]

Hello wonderful Slocumb family! Excellent use of the funds - I'm sure they will be blessed by it!

[Ryan May]

Love it!

[Jessica Kaminski]

We love this challenge! It's a great way to push ourselves, especially me.
After church, my husband, Kyle, and I went out to eat. We had horrible service. Our server didn't pay attention to us at all. However, this girl who was working at the tables next to us kept refilling our drinks and even took our food back to be fixed. She was so kind and was profiting off of us at all. She was young and pregnant, and I remember when I was in school waiting tables to pay the bills. As we left we put our $10 and $5 more in the envelope with the net card. I walked up to her and told her "thank you" and handed her the envelope. It wasn't much, but we hope it made her day. Her kindness was noticed! She seemed really surprised. We still have $10 left and are trying to think of what to do next!

[Ryan May]

Way to go! What a blessing... Nothing quite like surprising someone with kindness! Looking forward to hearing what comes of the 2nd $10. By the way, great meeting you both on Sunday.

[Eddie Talley]

Dianne and I had been in a quandary over the best way to meet the $10 buck challenge. We pooled our $10 bills and added another $10 each and decided to share God's love and goodness with a couple of people we know through Dianne's co-workers. The first $20 went to a co-worker's brother who was just released from a half-way house after spending time in prison on drug charges. He has health problems and has not been able to return to his job yet. He is living with his mother who is on a tight budget. We are praying for him to get a fresh start and wanted him to know that God loves him. Dianne has invited this family to The Net. Secondly, Dianne works with the grandmother of a 7-year old girl who lives in Ooltewah and had her 3rd liver transplant at the end of June. She is doing well, Praise God, but they are having to travel to Cincinnati often for her to be checked. We sent this family $20 to help with expenses. We don't know if they have a home church, but invited them to The Net. The little girl is still in isolation, so we told them they could also check it out on the website. We are thankful for this challenge and the opportunity to help others.

[Ryan May]

Ed and Dianne... 2 great stories! What a wonderful display of Christ's love. We'll keep these families in prayer.

[Ryan May]

Email from Marv & Linda Thomasson: "Marv and I each matched our $10 bucks, "doubling our money", then bought "buy one, get one free" of food staples and donated to local food pantry."

[Ryan May]

Way to go, Marv & Linda! Excellent way to meet a practical need in the community!!

[Christie Dennis]

I overheard a lady at work say that she didn't have enough gas to get home. I asked her what she was going to do. She said "pray." I left her an envelope with $10 anonymously on her desk.

[Ryan May]

Ha! That's great! Hey, she can't say God doesn't answer prayers, right? :)