In May, U.S. Fellowship staff traveled for a special visit with one of our faithful supporters, Leon, and had the opportunity to hear about why he chooses to donate to The Fellowship and supports Israel and the Jewish people. For him, it’s a matter of trust in God and knowing that he is helping people in need.
Leon says, “Some people, they talk about prosperity and I don’t believe in that. Yet, I believe the Lord blesses those that bless others –that’s my feeling. You don’t give to get; that’s kind of the way I feel. And, you should give it with a cheerful heart – it shouldn’t be out of pain or something like that. You should be glad when you do it.”
Born in 1949, Leon describes his early life on the farm his family owned. His mother would bring him and his siblings to church and Sunday school as they grew up. While Leon says that he never found the Lord during this time, he would truly become in touch with his faith as a Christian when he returned home from serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.
He said, “I believe it’s a good way (giving to The Fellowship), because you can’t take it with you. You might give to the Lord and have your treasures up in heaven. But I don’t want to feel like I’m giving to get something. I want to feel that I give because of the Lord – because He’s the only way. That’s my feeling – to trust him.”
Leon is retired and widowed after his wife Barbara passed away. He says that he doesn’t take much to live on by himself and is happy to continue giving to people who need it most. Like him, Barbara was always happy to give too.
“That’s the whole thing about it. It’s who you want to bless and why you want to bless them. You have to know that the Lord is in control of whatever you give,” said Leon.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
