Text to Brenda: Witnessing Requires Wealth

Date: October 25, 2025

Brenda, I was sitting at my parents' house early today watching my Mom water down dish soap for the second time this week and the importance of marketplace ministry clicked even more.

You know how you’ve been talking about financing ministries like how Susanna and Joanna did? I really get it now. My parents are brilliant people - escaped Communist China, built solid careers in America, have retirement savings. But they're prisoners to scarcity mindset because they don't know God.

They drive 10 extra minutes to save 30 cents on gas. They only shop groceries on Mondays/Wednesdays for that 10% discount. They charge their Tesla after midnight for cheaper rates.

Here's what I realized: I can preach at them all day about our abundant God but why would they listen? I'm "between jobs," crashing at their place, advising churches for pennies. They wish I was at Google making bank like a normal Duke graduate. My testimony has no authority to them because my bank account undermines my theology.

This is EXACTLY what you prophesied about - we need to be so wealthy that our wealth (and giving) becomes undeniable evidence of supernatural favor and provision. When I'm making millions and giving away more than my parents saved in a lifetime while still overflowing - THAT'S when they'll get curious about the source of that provision.

I am convinced we need to meet people like my parents at their materialism. My immigrant parents and likely billions of people around the world will NEVER believe in a God who can't provide for His followers. They need to see Christians dominating the marketplace while their souls stay uncorrupted.

This visit lit a fire under me. Watching them penny-pinch and being stressed out about little things while knowing they could be free - it's breaking my heart and motivating me simultaneously. They shouldn't be calculating if they can afford to visit family in China. They should be experiencing what it means to serve the God of abundance.

2026 is going to be different. We're going to show them what Kingdom economics looks like.

Thank you for being obedient when God told you my name. This partnership is prophetic and my parents are going to be saved because of what we do together.