Harvey is retired now, a comfortably wealthy man. He became a Lutheran when he married 47 years ago. He is willing, if you ask him, to talk about how he arrived where he is in life. Here is his story.
Harvey came from a lower-income family. As he was going through his school years, he understood that other kids were much better off. They didn't have to alternate between just two sets of clothes like Harvey did. They had money to spend on pop and candy. Many of them talked about going to college and earning big salaries.
Harvey was determined to get ahead. He didn't enjoy school much and muddled through high school. As soon as he could, he got a job at a nearby factory and started earning a paycheck. A new sense of freedom from poverty made him dream of bigger things.
He talked to some of his co-workers at the factory and they decided to start a small operation in a garage, doing a variation of their factory work at competitive prices. Soon they had enough business to quit their factory jobs.
As in many partnerships, one by one they lost interest in the new business. When each wanted to go on to other things, the remaining partners would buy the partner out. This continued until there were just two partners, Harvey and Tom. The business expanded year by year, until more than 50 employees were working three shifts.
One day, Harvey's pastor stopped by to see how Harvey was doing. Pastor Schmidt found Harvey excited and busy, but nervous. He sensed that Harvey was missing something and the conversation came around to church programs and church budget. Harvey wanted more to be happening in the congregation and the pastor agreed with him.
Then Pastor Schmidt asked Harvey a question he wasn't expecting. "Harvey," he asked, "how much do you contribute every Sunday at church?" Harvey mumbled something about $5 per week. He had given the same amount for several years.
Then Pastor Schmidt said something Harvey has never forgotten. "Giving is something you will never enjoy fully until you step out in faith. Let me suggest a way for you to try it. Next Sunday, Harvey, instead of $5, put $20 in your offering envelope. The following Sunday, try increasing your offering to $21, then $22. Week by week, increase your gift until you reach the point that it interferes with your responsibility for your family and business. At that point, level off your weekly amount or pull back a little, until it seems possible to move ahead again. The whole idea is to take God at His Word and try to do what God encourages us all to do. God promises to bless generosity in ways you cannot imagine."
When Harvey tells this story, he pauses and takes a deep breath. Then he continues: "Last year, God made it possible for me to contribute more than $30,000 ... and I'm retired! When my partner and I sold out the business for millions, my giving actually went higher than when I was working. Pastor Schmidt was right. There is no way I can give more than God gives me. Giving has become a way of life for me and a great joy for my entire family."
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." (Nahum 1:7)
(Rev. Bertram serves as Director of For the Sake of the Church, the initiative to double the number of LCMS students at our colleges and universities while raising $400 million in endowment funds and preparing future servant leaders for a strong and vibrant church.)