Inside Story

Being a Blessing in Business

Kavono Kivatsi Samwele loved to play the drums while his wife sang. Kavono was in his early 20s. He lived in a village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kavono enjoyed his life. Someday, he would become the village chief.

Then Kavono got an idea to write the songs his wife sang. To do that, he needed to learn to read and write first. Kavono knew about a new Seventh-day Adventist school that just opened in a nearby village. So, Kavono started the first grade there.

At the school, Kavono learned to read and write. He also learned about the God of heaven. As Kavono studied, he believed that God wanted him to become a pastor. If Kavono became a pastor, he couldn’t become the village chief. Kavono decided to become a pastor.

Kavono had a son named Kasereka Maghulu Kavatsi. As a boy, Kasereka went with his father wherever he preached. Kasereka wanted to serve God, too. But Kasereka’s skills were in business. So, he became a businessman. Kasereka started a farm. He became a fisherman, too. Then he opened a clothing store. His businesses grew. He enjoyed much success.

Kasereka remembered the Bible truths his father taught him. So, Kasereka paid tithe to God. Tithe is 10% of all the money we get. After Kasereka got married, he and his wife paid a tithe of $10,000.00 in US money. Kasereka’s wife was the daughter of a traveling preacher. Kasereka’s wife wanted her husband to give an offering of 10%. For a long time, Kasereka wondered how much to give for offering. He decided to follow his wife’s advice. Kasereka and his wife gave another $10,000.00 for offering. After that, they gave 10% tithe and 10% offering. Kasereka and his wife always had everything they needed. Kasereka said, “When you help the Lord, you get a blessing back.”

Kasereka wanted to do his part to announce Jesus’ second coming. Kasereka gave copies of The Great Controversy to fellow business leaders and government leaders. Kasereka also started an orphanage. He sent orphans and other people to school and paid for their education.

The more Kasereka blessed other people, the more God blessed him. Kasereka helped 100 people finish college. Many of the students couldn’t find jobs when they finished. That’s because there weren’t many jobs in the country for educated people. So, Kasereka gave them jobs in his businesses. Their skills were a blessing to his companies. Kasereka says, “God always gives you back more than you give to Him.”

Part of this quarter’s 13th Sabbath Offering will support God’s work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thank you for your offering. Your gift will help announce Jesus’ soon coming.

Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at https://AdventistMission.org .