R. G. LeTourneau: The Engineer Who Gave Away 90%
LeTourneau gave 90% away and built one of the century's great industrial firms. He said God has a bigger shovel. This is what that looked like.
R. G. LeTourneau lived on 10% of his income and gave away the other 90%. He built one of the most successful industrial firms of the 20th century while doing it.
This is the story of a man who believed business is more than profit: it's worship.
From Digger to Discipler
In the early 20th century, LeTourneau pioneered modern earth-moving equipment. His machines reshaped landscapes. But what made him exceptional wasn't his engineering; it was his economics of worship.
He would live on 10 percent of what he earned, giving the other 90 percent away. That wasn't just generosity, it was faith. He said, "I shovel out the money, and God shovels it back, but God has a bigger shovel."
Kingdom Return on Investment
With only a tenth of his salary retained, LeTourneau still built one of the most successful industrial firms of his day. He didn't just survive, he thrived. He invested in people, founded a technical institute for training Christian engineers, and funded missionary projects in Liberia and Peru.
His giving wasn't a tax deduction or feel-good gesture, it was a strategic act of obedience. He invited people to join the gospel's cause through their own work and creativity.
Stewardship that speaks louder than slogans
The testimony of Jesus in business is more than words, it's stewardship that speaks louder than slogans.
LeTourneau's posture says: I trust Him enough to lay aside worldly gain so He can grow eternal impact.
He wrestled not just with profit margins but with purpose margins. By aligning his business with his faith, he unlocked a flow of provision, often beyond what anyone expected.
Worship as Work
In every machine he built, every institute he founded, every mission he funded, R. G. LeTourneau testified: Jesus is Lord of business.
The spirit of prophecy, the testimony of Jesus, spoke through his spreadsheets, press releases, and charitable gifts. His company wasn't just an employer; it was a witness of God's goodness!
Your move
Maybe you're in a startup, a small business, or a corporate role. What if your giving strategy became your worship strategy? What if your profit was a platform, not a prize?
- Could you shift your posture, viewing finances as seeds, not wages?
- Could your work become a living manifesto of trust in Jesus' promise?
Not because 90% is the rule, but because trust is the posture. God is calling for partners who will build businesses not just for bread, but for blessing.
What would you build if you trusted God with the numbers?
Frequently Asked Questions
Did R. G. LeTourneau really give away 90% of his income?
Yes. LeTourneau reversed the typical Christian giving ratio: he lived on 10% and gave 90% to God's work. He said, "I shovel out the money, and God shovels it back, but God has a bigger shovel." Despite this, he built one of the most successful earth-moving equipment firms in 20th-century America and funded missionary work in Liberia, Peru, and beyond.
What did R. G. LeTourneau build?
R. G. LeTourneau pioneered modern earth-moving equipment in the early 20th century, and his machines reshaped landscapes across America. He built one of the most successful industrial firms of his day while keeping only a tenth of his salary, and he founded a technical institute to train Christian engineers.
What did R. G. LeTourneau do with the 90% he gave away?
He put it into people and into mission. LeTourneau invested in his workforce, founded a technical institute for training Christian engineers, and funded missionary projects in Liberia and Peru. For anyone weighing how faith and money meet in their own work, Doxa records the moments God has already provided, so the account of his faithfulness is there to read when the next decision comes.
Keep Reading
- How to Share Your Testimony (Even If It Seems Small)
- 5 Testimonies That Will Change How You Pray
- What Is a Testimony? A Simple Guide for Modern Believers
- Modern Miracles: Real Stories from The Grace Record
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