Preschool Teacher Laid Off After 20 Years Buys Lottery Ticket And Hits His Knees At Gas Station

A laid-off preschool teacher learns that God doesn’t just provide, He surpasses our needs.

After working as a preschool teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina, for two decades, Joe Camp was laid off in September of 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. A month later, his father passed away. 

RELATED: Struggling Single Mom Wins Lottery But Decides to Give It to Police Officer Fighting for His Life

Seemingly down on his luck and faith, he continued with his weekly routine. Every Thursday he would buy a "Gold Rush" North Carolina Education Lottery ticket. Instead of buying just one this time, he decided to buy two. 

Later as he was pumping gas, the laid-off preschool teacher scratched off the first one and didn’t win anything. But then he scratched off the second one. Shocked, humbled, and blessed, Joe hit his knees as he realized he hit the jackpot. He won $250,000 and later learned he would take home more than $178,000 after taxes. 

Tonight's story in 20 seconds. 5:15 and 6:15 on @wcnc pic.twitter.com/eDFqk77mav

— Chloe Leshner (@ChloeLeshner) December 29, 2020

Unexpected Blessing For Laid-Off Preschool Teacher

Before the winning moment, Joe Camp felt lost in the dark.

RELATED: Stranger Spots Handyman Standing In Hot Sun Begging For Work And Changes His Life

“It put me in a dark place. But I have a lot of friends and family that just told me to keep sticking in there, keep believing in myself,” he said. 

"Thursday morning, I went to the store and bought a scratch-off ticket like I usually do and I bought two tickets. I didn't win on the first one, so I tried the second and I scratched it off, and I fell to my knees at the gas pump,” he said. 

Joe knew right that God saw his needs and did more than just meet his needs. God surpassed them. Isn’t that like our mighty God? And now Joe Camp is doing the same for his daughter and grandchildren. The laid-off preschool teacher is passing on the wealth and security to them. He says he wants to save for his daughter's education, buy a new home that he plans to pass down to his loved ones.

"What I plan on doing with my winnings is having a future for my daughter," he said. "I want to have something for us. I never had anything. No one passed anything down, and that's what I want to do." This is truly an inspirational story of giving after receiving. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Lotto and God: Can a Christian Buy a Lottery Ticket?

“Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.” Genesis 22:17

WATCH: Preschool Teacher Laid Off After 20 Years Buys Lottery Ticket

LISTEN: Senior Citizen Starts Putting Groceries Back When He Can’t Pay But Teen Cashier Stops Him

h/t: Newsweek

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.