Changing the Hardest Heart

Gilbert Ballo is a top distributor of motorcycle spare parts in his town in Nigeria. He has a steady stream of customers coming into his shop. In fact, for awhile, he made up to $600 a month.

Gilbert is a Christian who had committed his business to the Lord except in one area.

Gilbert says, “I never gave to the Lord! Whenever my Pastor talked about paying tithes or giving an offering, I’d get very angry for reasons I couldn’t explain. I just wanted to keep obtaining and never giving.”

Gilbert was so radical in his beliefs that he also caused a few of his friends to rebel in the area of giving too. He even ripped out pages from his Bible that talked about giving and tore them up.

As time passed, instead of seeing his business grow like he’d hoped, Gilbert’s finances began to dwindle. Very soon, he was in debt and his family began to suffer.

Gilbert’s wife recalls, “I tried to encourage him to break free of this avarice and lack by giving, but he refused to budge! I just kept praying for him.”

One day, on his way to collect some money from some customers, Gilbert heard something on a television program playing on the street.

“I was at the bus terminal,” he says. “The 700 Club came on the TV screen, and there was this story about some children at the Harbor of Hope Assembly of God in Ohio who were raising funds for a well in Africa.”

Gilbert put off his trip and watched the rest of the program. His life took a dramtic turn that day.

“I knew the Holy Spirit was ministering to me. I felt so ashamed! If those little babies could raise money for the work of the Lord, then what was I doing? Holding back my finances? I asked the Lord to forgive me right there!”

But Gilbert didn’t stop there. He called his friends together and told them what had happened to him. Soon they all repented and asked the Lord and the church to forgive them.

Gilbert paid up his back tithes and gave offerings to the Lord too. The change was dramatic!

Gilbert says, “My business turned around! All my old customers and many new ones came. I flourished again. Now, I make up to $1,000 every week! My children who used to be sickly are now strong and healthy. I knew that God’s hand was upon me.”

Gilbert also decided to become a member of The 700 Club, supporting the work of the Lord in his country and other parts of Africa.

“Thank you so much CBN for your programs,” he says. “The Lord used it to open my eyes and set me free! Now I tell my story to everyone."

Gilbert saw the rewards of applying the Law of Reciprocity -- "Give and it shall be given to you" -- by giving to CBN. Here is your chance to give to the Lord and see your dollars bring truth to hurting people, feed and clothe needy children, keep The 700 Club Prayer Counseling Center phone lines operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provide medical care to those who need a tangible