The Shift: An Inspirational Story by Pastor Tim Burt
Drake came from a poor neighborhood where dreams weren’t about changing the world—they were about having the coolest car, the newest clothes, and the respect that came with status. For him, success was all about what people saw and thought about him. He never thought much beyond that. Deep down, he knew those things wouldn’t fill the emptiness, but dreaming bigger felt unrealistic, maybe even foolish. So he settled for the surface-level goals that felt within reach.
Drake stared at the ATM screen, his stomach knotting. Another overdraft. All week, he’d been holding his breath, hoping the deposit would land before the rent check cleared. But now, the screen told him what he already feared—he was coming up short again.
He sighed and walked back to his car, gripping a brown paper bag with a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and a can of soup. Dinner for the next three days.
There was a time when Drake believed he was meant to do something great. He would dream about starting a business, helping people, traveling, and making a difference in the lives of others. But those dreams seemed a blur as he was spending most of his energy attempting to stay afloat.
One night, tired and frustrated, he found himself scrolling social media and saw a post from an old friend: “Come join us this Sunday at New Life Church—your life can have meaning, purpose, and be successful." Drake rolled his eyes but paused. He hadn’t been in church in years. Something about that post got to him.
That Sunday, curiosity won. He showed but with little expectation other than to be disappointed. He sat in the back, and planned to slip out early. But the message stopped him cold.
The pastor was preaching his first message in a new series on stewardship—how everything we have ultimately belongs to God, and how trusting Him with our finances is an act of worship, not duty. He talked about a God who wasn’t angry or disappointed—but had a purpose and a plan for each life. He explained how Jesus came not just to forgive but to rebuild, restore, and bless. Not just spiritually, but in every area of life. "God desires you to be blessed to be a blessing!" he went on to say.
Drake leaned in, almost suspicious. God cares about my finances? My future?
It felt too good to be true—but something inside him stirred.
He kept coming back.
Over the weeks, Drake heard teaching he’d never heard before—about stewardship, about generosity, and about something called tithing, which means giving the first ten percent of your income back to God as an act of trust and worship. At first, it sounded crazy. I’m broke. How can I give anything?
But the Word of God was consistent. Every time God blessed His people, He called them to live with open hands—to bless others, to build, to give. It wasn’t about getting rich. It was about shifting from a life of surviving to a life of trusting and giving.
Drake knew the way he had been living was a dead end! He made a decision—not sure if it was desperation or a genuine desire to understand God’s ways—but either way, he decided to act on what he was hearing. And to his surprise, it felt right.
With trembling hands and a tight budget, he gave to God for the first time. He tithed—giving back the first ten percent of everything God provides, just like his pastor explained. It felt crazy. He didn’t have enough to begin with. How could he possibly give to God? But he did it anyway. And while it didn’t fix everything overnight, it marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
He also started doing things he’d never done before—tracking every expense, building a budget, and praying over every financial decision. Slowly, things began to shift. Then faster. A small side job turned into a full-time position. He met people at church who mentored him, encouraged him, and taught him how to handle money with wisdom.
Drake knew these blessings weren’t just luck. God was honoring his obedience and growing his faith.
But the most significant change wasn’t in his bank account. It was in his mindset.
He realized that God’s goal wasn’t just to fix his financial problems—it was to shape his heart. That transformation began the moment he quietly prayed with his pastor to receive Jesus into his life. From there, everything began to look different. He noticed people—really noticed them. People struggling like he had. He started anonymously paying for groceries and volunteering at church. Giving above the tithe. He found ways to encourage coworkers who were going through hard times.
Then one day, his friend Brian—still stuck in paycheck-to-paycheck survival—asked the question that brought it all full circle.
“How did you turn your life around?”
Drake smiled. “Honestly? I stopped asking God what He could do for me—and started asking what He wanted to do through me.”
Brian looked confused. “But weren’t you broke?”
Drake nodded. “Exactly. That’s how it started. I had nothing but need. But God met me there. He showed me His goodness. Then he showed me His heart. He’s not just looking to fill empty lives—He’s looking to overflow them.”
Final Thought:
Drake’s story isn’t just about finances—it’s about transformation. We all come to God with needs, and He is faithful to meet us there. But the deeper work begins when He changes not just our circumstances, but our thinking—our mindset.
Jesus, the greatest giver who ever lived, doesn’t just bless us—He calls us to become a blessing. That’s the shift that changes everything, and that is the shift Drake made in his life. And maybe, for the first time in his life, he felt like he was on the path God had for him! And he couldn't be more excited!
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
—2 Corinthians 9:11
