James and Patricia Williams participate in an employee gift matching program. Photo credit: Courtesy of James and Patricia Williams.

Twice a week, 88-year-old James Williams drives to his job as a cashier at Home Depot in Asheville, N.C. “I love the customers, the camaraderie, my co-workers and the benefits of my job,” the WWII veteran says.

And soon after starting 14 years ago, James discovered something else he loved about his job: His employer matched employee gifts to charities. So James filled out a card to see if they would match the donation he just made to American Bible Society. “I was tickled when they did,” James explains, “especially at 100 percent, I didn't know that any company did that.”

From that time on, James and his wife Patricia have given a monthly gift to the ministry of ABS, and James' employer has matched the gifts.

The work of ABS is particularly close to the hearts of both James and Patricia, who have been married for 54 years and have four children. Each morning they both wake up early to read their own Bibles. “I do it to stay disciplined in my life,” says James. He explains that he first became a Christian at the age of 12. “The Lord won't let me go,” James says. “He keeps pulling me back.”

Supporting ABS is something that James and Patricia can do together. Patricia is now homebound and receives care from James and home hospice. But she finds encouragement in the work of ABS, particularly by the translation work that allows people to experience God's Word in their heart languages. “It's so hard for someone not to be able to read the Bible in their own language,” she says.

Now, more than 13 years after submitting his first matching grant, James and his employer have sent more matching grants than any other donor and employer team. The way James sees it, the money all belongs to God. This is just one more way he and Patricia can be faithful stewards of it.

Carmen Feliciano works as the Matching Grant Coordinator at ABS.

Find out if your employer will match, double or triple your donations.
Visit: ABS.us/WorkPlaceGiving
Or contact Carmen Feliciano toll free at: 1-877-225-0008