Victory! (2012) by Gerry James

Monday, January 2, 2012

A Wealthy Place

Guest Post by Michelle Medlock Adams~

"There must be some mistake," David Carmichael said to an angry customer on the other end of the phone.  That's double what an oil change and shocks should cost.  Let me check on it."

As David pulled into the parking lot of the international truck dealership in southern Indiana where he'd worked for almost four years, he sensed something in his spirit.  He knew the inflated invoice havn't been an oversight.

Since the boss' wife had recently taken more of an interest in the dealership many things were changing -- and not for the better.

"I think we overcharged someone about $500 today," David said as he breezed past the woman.  "He was pretty mad.  I'll take care of it and credit the guy."

"You'll do no such thing," she said, glaring at him.  "There was no mistake.  I marked everything up 100 percent.  That's the way we're going to bill from now on."

David was stunned.

"As general manager, don't you think you should've discussed that with me?" he asked. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Since your name is not on the front of this business, it doesn't really matter if you think it's a good idea.  It's not open for discussion."

David knew he was in the middle of something more than a power struggle -- it was a spiritual battle.  He also knew his integrity would be compromised if he continued to work there, but he needed the job.  With a wife and four children at home, he wasn't sure how they'd make it if he quit.

Later that week, David got another surprise.  The boss' wife told him to fire an employee who had been diagnosed with a serious illness because she no longer wanted to pay for the insurance.

That was it.

After praying with his wife, Nicole, he gave his two-week notice.

With only $1,000 in the bank things suddenly looked bleak for David and Nicole Carmichael.  But as born-again believers, they knew what to do.

"We had to sow!" David said.  The Carmichael family gathered in the living room of their small home and prayed over the $1,000 they had left.   They asked God for a business of his own for David.  This $1,000 is not enough to meet all our needs, they reasoned.  We are going to have to depend on God for that.  We are going to need support and prayer.  They thought of