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From Credit Card Debt to Multimillions

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When Herb and Anita McDermott married, they both loved to party and spent their leisure time and money on drinking, smoking and entertaining.  

Herb says, “We really did have fun having people over and having parties. We were pretty wild.”

Anita shares, “That cost money. Alcohol was expensive and we didn't realize how much we were pouring into our entertainment.”

What Herb and Anita didn’t spend on partying, they spent on their daughter’s medical bills. Their daughter had terrible allergies and needed expensive shots.  Eventually, they had to put most of their expenses on credit cards.

Herb shares, “I didn't despise using the credit cards. Was I concerned about it? Yeah.”

Anita says, “And yet he said, "We can't continue paying these doctor bills.”

Then one day, a friend invited her to a women’s conference where Anita learned about tithing.

Herb remembers, “She said, ‘Do you know what that is?’ I said, ‘Well, I know that tithe means 10 percent. I said, ‘Honey, you know, there's no way we can do that. We're just making ends meet and I'm working two jobs.’”

While he didn’t think he could afford to tithe, Herb figured he’d have more money to give if he wasn’t wasting it on alcohol and cigarettes. So, he asked God to take away those desires.

Herb shares, “I never wanted another cigarette, from that very minute, gone. He totally took the desire to drink away from me. Never had another desire. It was like our life changed.”

Anita had a change of heart too.  

Anita recalls, “God was at work. We surrendered totally to the will of God.”

The McDermotts say God also healed their daughter’s allergies. Because they weren’t spending as much they began to tithe consistently. Herb says God’s goodness led him to get saved.

Herb remembers, “In February of 1981, I walked down to the altar of the church and the pastor asked me what I wanted. And I said, ‘I want Jesus.’ So he prayed with me.”

Because of their tithing, Herb got blessed in another way. He left his two jobs for a company that sold engineering products to the U.S. Navy. His income doubled.

Herb shares, “I opened a lot of new business for the company and my bonuses were great.”

Soon after the McDermotts became CBN partners.

Herb says, “We liked the way they don’t spend the money frivolously. It goes to the people in need, either in health areas or getting water for people who don't have food.”

Anita shares, “When we’ve seen hurricanes come through and I see those Operation Blessing trucks pull in it just delights my heart. And Orphan's Promise blesses me in that those children are being blessed. Oh my goodness. I love it.”

After years of tithing, Herb says God gave him the dream about a wind system apparatus for helicopters. The U.S. Navy turned him down as they were developing their own system called Moriah. For nearly 14 years, Herb held onto his dream. In the meantime, he started a small government contracting company. He later brought on a friend to help him run it.

Herb recalls, “We did anything. We would write tech manuals for the government. We would take jobs that nobody else wanted.”

Then in 2002, the government asked dozens of companies to bid on a project. What they were looking for was exactly the same system that had come to Herb in a dream. The Pentagon chose Herb’s company to install the equipment and awarded them a $94 million dollar contract.

Herb says, “It's all God. It was His idea. It was a dream He gave me and He wanted us to do it.”

Anita says, “We have a saying in England and it's called ‘gobsmacked.’ It means 'incredible.’”

Herb shares, “The employees wanted to know why I was successful. And I would tell them, ‘Tithing works.’”

They have also taught their children and grandchildren about tithing and God is blessing their lives too. In 2016, Herb sold his company for a major profit. Looking back, he and his wife say the number one reason for their success is giving.

Herb says, “If you will test God in the area of tithing, I guarantee that God will do His part. He's not a respecter of persons. If He did it for me, He will do it for you."


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About The Author

Michelle Wilson
Michelle
Wilson

Michelle’s been with CBN since 2003 as a 700 Club reporter-producer. She’s an award-winning producer who’s traveled to seven countries producing life-changing stories on healings, salvations, and natural disasters, reaching millions for Jesus. She’s an entrepreneur and humanitarian who gives generously to those in need through Michelle Wilson Ministries.