We have received a few emails from skeptics who doubted our claimed income in the TLC “Kids by the Dozen” episode. We had 13 children last year when the film crew came to our home to capture our life. I said, “We make less than $40,000 per year.” Our point in making this claim is simple: God provides no matter how many or how few children you have. Wendy and I are convinced that if we had 50 children, God would provide for our needs just the same.
We are late in filing our personal income tax return this year for 2006, but I just sent it into the IRS yesterday. The exact amount: $36,684. Can you believe that? Even I am in awe at how pathetic our salary is. Ha, ha — what a testimony! How great God is. He continues to provide for my family even with such a low income.
We make this point in our book, Love in the House, and we give pointers on how to live on such a small income. We reveal that we are not on welfare or any government assistance of any kind, including health insurance. We certainly could be, if we chose. In fact, with the number of children and the income we have, we are technically “extremely impoverished,” as the government terms it. We laugh at this, for we consider ourselves to be extremely blessed. We state in our book:
Some may consider our family poor, but we believe we are the wealthiest people in the world. Our kids don’t care that they don’t have their own bedrooms when right outside the back door is a six-and-a-half acre playground. To them, a “play station” is their latest Lego creation. To our minds, materialism is the shallowest of reasons to shut out the blessing of a large family. We’ve all read of people who lived in castles yet were filled with sorrow and loneliness. Likewise, don’t we all know others who enjoyed rich, satisfying lives, despite their modest means?
Of course, we’re working on making more money this year. 2006 was a tough year for my business and ministry, and this year looks better. But, even if my income turns out to be twice that of last year, is that “enough” by today’s standards for a family expecting their 14th child? Even if I claimed $72k in income last year, most would think that to be still modest.
All in all, we believe this is a heavenly testimony that God will provide for families who put their trust in Him. He will not let you down! Go ahead, have kids: they are blessings. Don’t let anyone tell you they are liabilities. Enjoy the fruit of your labor. God will provide what you need.
About Chris & Wendy Jeub
