Yesterday, I had a conversation with my boss about bonuses. She told me, “Since we worked our butts off last year and the company did well in 2024, your bonus this year has increased to 13% instead of the usual 10%.” “Sweeeeet,” I replied. I may have sounded nonchalant, but deep down, I was thrilled.
Reflecting on this, I can’t help but see God’s hand in every step of my journey. He’s always provided for me—even when I didn’t feel deserving. My first job came to me unexpectedly. I didn’t even apply; the company found my portfolio on the school website and reached out to offer me an interview. That was all God.
When I was laid off from that first job, God sustained me through unemployment benefits. And just as those benefits were about to end, I received a new job offer. The same thing happened when I was laid off again later—benefits carried me through, and on the very week of my last payment, someone I had worked with previously offered me a new role.
My third job was demanding. It was a startup, and I had to juggle multiple responsibilities. On top of that, I went through a frightening health scare that left me drained—physically and emotionally. I remember praying, telling God I had nothing left in me. Just weeks later, I got a message from my college friend and former roommate. Her company was hiring, and she asked if I wanted to apply. I immediately sent my resume and portfolio, and the rest is history. I’m still at that job today. (Huge thanks to my friend!)
None of these blessings came from my own strength—it was God who provided every single one. As Matthew 6:31–32 reminds us: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”
The money I’ve received? It’s His. I’ve always known that, yet despite acknowledging it wasn’t truly mine, I acted foolishly with it. I spent carelessly on temporary, worldly things, trying to fill a void that only God can truly satisfy. Deep down, I knew this. But still, I ran from Him and found myself trapped in a cycle of debt.
Last Sunday, after church, I prayed. I asked God to forgive me for mismanaging what He entrusted to me. He gave me stewardship over His resources—not for selfish gain, but to be used for His Kingdom, to bless the poor and the needy. Instead, I wasted it on things that don’t last. In prayer, I said, “Lord, please help me to be wise with Your money. I don’t want to use it for my own desires anymore. I want to honor You by using it to help others. Give me the wisdom and strength to get out of debt, so I can be free to give.”
And God, in His mercy, answered—with the 13% bonus.
Now I realize that the first step in honoring God with His money is to address the debt. So after setting aside my tithe from the bonus, the rest is going straight toward paying it off. One step at a time, I’m learning what it truly means to be a faithful steward of what He’s entrusted to me. I pray that I won’t fall back into debt again, and that I’ll remain constantly reminded: this money is for His glory, not mine.
jinsil • truth 