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Today's Christian, September/October 2001
We Lost the Farm
The spiritual gain from a financial loss
by Richard L. Culp as told to Cynthia Culp Allen
The hot sun in northern California added to the fatigue I felt working as foreman of a large ranching operation. I had my own place—200 acres of almond trees. But years of bad weather and skimpy harvests had forced me to take on additional work to provide for my family.
Still my efforts didn't seem to help reduce our debts. My wife Geneva and I accumulated bank loans to cover our farming expenses. The trees had to be watered, sprayed and fertilized, and the wages had to be paid. All that created more debt. I felt like I was being tossed by an angry ocean wave and couldn't get back on my feet.
The problem was only made worse by the farm crisis that had hit the nation. Interest on bank loans soared; markets were at an all-time low; some crops weren't producing at all. Many farmers were losing homes and land that had been in their families for generations. I'd already lost a farm in a family operation in which the managing partner wanted out.
It had been difficult to start over—buying land, a house, equipment, putting in wells and irrigation, planting trees. I had some cash, but I had also borrowed a considerable amount from a farm credit company. Determined not to fail again, Geneva and I had spent many sleepless nights struggling to find a way to pay all of our expenses.
Our worst fears realized
Across the field, I spotted our pick-up truck rumbling down the lane. It was Geneva, and by the way that she was hurrying, I could tell that something was wrong.
My wife was out of breath by the time she reached me. "Please come sit in the truck so that we can talk."
Geneva let it all pour out: "Oh, Richard, I've just been to the farm credit company. They've taken it all! They won't lend us any more money, and they want immediate payment on our past loans. We're being forced to sell. They have a buyer; there's no price negotiation. All they want is our signatures . …"
Her voice trailed off into sobs. I put my arms around Geneva and began to weep, too. Everything that we had worked a lifetime to acquire was gone. Where would we go? Two of our eight children were still at home. How would this crisis and relocation affect their lives?
I was 50 years old and had been in farming all my life. Since the farm credit company had taken our land and our two bank notes, the crop that year would go to the buyer. We had no money to start over.
In spite of the overwhelming loss and grief, I knew that God was in control of our situation. I had grown up in a Christian home, surrounded by godly parents and grandparents. They had victoriously weathered many storms in their lives. Hearing again and again the biblical examples of believers who obeyed God unconditionally, I had developed a deep, steadfast faith in God.
God's not through yet
I remembered the Bible story of Joseph. That young Hebrew was in the will of God even in the misery of slavery and prison. Then God revealed his glorious plan. As for me, I knew that God must have something better for our future, too.
I comforted Geneva. "Listen, Geneva, let's keep this in perspective. We've lost only material things—many people lose loved ones. We know that the Lord is in control. We just don't know yet where he's taking us."
Two weeks after the creditors took our farm, I lost my job as a ranch foreman. Our family moved into a compact rental unit, and Geneva and I began working a series of minor jobs, including a stint at a fast food restaurant.
It was difficult to pay down the $100,000 debt that was left after all of our assets were seized—our land, our equipment, our home, and our bank notes. There were many times that we didn't have money for groceries and living expenses, but God provided for us through our family, friends, and church.
A year-and-a-half later, God gave us our new direction. Geneva and I were offered a management position at an exclusive, 2,600-acre waterfowl hunting club in northern California. The club catered to wealthy clients.
As we served at the club in numerous ways, we realized again and again that money and possessions cannot bring happiness. We had lost everything, yet we had joy in our lives.
Secret to handling a crisis
After we had been at the club for about a year, I received a call from the head of the credit company that had taken our farm. He needed to talk with us, insisting on making the hour's drive out to the hunting club.
As we sat together, he said, "I want to ask you something personal. A friend of mine recently lost everything he owned. His wife just committed suicide. We at the office have noticed that you two are handling this crisis differently than most people do. Can you tell me what your secret is?"
I was happy to explain. "We believe in the God of the Bible. He is sovereign over our lives, and he is in control. Even though the pain is very real, we are confident of this fact: God has proven sufficient and able to take care of us."
Geneva added, "God's Word promises, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you' (Heb. 13:5)."
It was true. Throughout the entire ordeal, we never felt alone for a single moment. Later, as the head of the credit company rose to leave, he thanked us. "You've given me a lot to think about," he said quietly.
God's provision and his presence in the midst of our crisis has been real. He has helped us to pay off our debts, and he continues to provide. The apostle Paul wrote, "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).
Our family has learned to lean on that promise. Geneva and I have had many opportunities to witness to the truth of God's faithfulness in troubled times. Our financial loss was painful, but God has worked it out for our spiritual gain.
Originally published in the Colusa County (Cal.) Sun Herald (11/10/99), © 2000 Cynthia Culp Allen. Used by permission.
Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader).
Click here for reprint information.
September/October 2001, Vol. 39, No. 5, Page 77
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