by Del Hungerford

The term “heavenly trading” was new to me in 2014. The first time I saw it in action, I was sitting in my seat during a large conference thinking “why are all these people going forward and throwing money in a bucket while people are speaking?” At first, it was a bit distracting but after I learned what it was all about, I understood the reason and then joined in.

Sitting in the back of the room, I watched as people either sneered or giggled at this display. To some, her behavior was very distracting. In my mind, I’m thinking, “Wow! She’s sure free in this!” At several points in the conference, she’d come back down the aisle towards her seat, handing dollar bills to those sitting in the aisle seats. During the breaks, I heard people making comments like “She sure is distracting and being disrespectful!” They were offended by her behavior. However, the speaker didn’t appear to notice or be bothered by what she was doing.

How did this affect me? Although I feel fairly free in the principle of trading, I was still a bit shy (can you believe it?) when it came to getting up out of my seat to put money in the buckets. But, as I watched others free up, it did something in me, too. The speaker said something and I thought “I’ll trade into that!” By getting up and putting money in the bucket, it was easier to remember and then retain the spoken word. I actually internalized, in a deeper way, what the speaker said!

Additionally, I realized that trading in this manner opened up things within me. It’s similar to tithing but yet it’s very different. I gave to the person “feeding” me spiritually during this conference. At the same time, it released the angelic to work on my behalf. How do I know this? It wasn’t long after this conference when I began to notice some changes in my finances – changes for the better. I’ll touch upon that here in a bit.

Trading is an act of worship. No, it’s not worshiping the speaker. It’s worshiping God who is releasing revelation through the speaker. In a sense, it’s similar to taking up an offering for a speaker but yet it’s so much more. It’s an action; an action that’s active where at the moment something witnesses in your spirit, you immediately say “I receive that!” Those words (or thoughts ) are backed up with the act of getting money out for the trade. Now, we don’t have to be religious about this. At this conference, when I wasn’t sitting near a trading bucket, I simply threw money on the floor and put it in the buckets at the end of each session.

Trading can also be “casting your crowns at His feet.” (Gal. 2:20) For example, I’m learning to take compliments, cool things that have happened, and answers to prayer as a trade, too. I envision myself going before the throne and setting the compliment or answered prayer at the feet of Jesus. I then ask for more of Him in my life. It takes practice (by remembering to do it) but I find the more I trade in this manner, the more of His love I feel in my life. It also affects everything else in my life, but especially in my finances.

What did I learn from this conference? I loved watching how people were set free, which in turn helped me get set free in some areas concerning money. I no longer look at “only the 10%” when giving. My attitude is no longer “Do I have enough to do this?” I don’t over extend but I find that when giving out of love, desire, and revelation, it’s a turbo boost in all that Yahweh has for me. I’ve gone to some of these conferences with very little money and traded pennies or nickles while others traded big bills. There’s no condemnation. You give what you can. It’s the act of faith in trading something for what you desire.

This is where we talk about good and bad trades. Remember the sowing and reaping principle? If we put forth a bad trade, we’ll reap something we probably don’t want. Do you want an example? Let’s say that my neighbor comes over after she finds out I purchased a teaching set from a conference. She really wants to hear the teachings but doesn’t have the funds to purchase the set. So, I go ahead and e-mail the files to her or put them on a thumb drive so she can listen on her own time.

Well, that’s a bad trade. Why? Because it’s taking money away from the organization that paid to put on the conference. In that case, both me and my neighbor have made a bad trade and, we’ll reap the benefit of that trade. Even if her intentions are pure to actually purchase the conference set when she does have the funds, I’m still in the wrong by giving her a copy of the teachings. Now, if she wants to sit in my living room and listen with me, that’s OK. I’m not actually giving her something that could take away income from someone else.

I have found that people actually value something more when they have to pay for it. When things are free, it’s taken for granted because there’s no ownership. Yeah, I’m not going to turn down something for free if it’s legit. I love it when speakers give away their books at conferences. What we should do in the event we get one of those free books is to take that gift before God and trade for more of Him and then ask for more blessings to flow towards the author. Or, we can turn around and give something of value to us to someone else. 

Over the last few years, I’ve been “practicing” more of the trading principle. When I go to conferences, sign up for live streamed events, or work with mentoring groups, I ask Papa how much to trade. The more I do it, the more free and joyful I become during the process. The cool part? I’m starting to see more funds come in through unexpected ways! Financial miracles are beginning to happen in my life. At this time, I’m still learning to be “ruler over little so I can be ruler over much” (Matt 25:23). It’s like anything else; as we become trustworthy in the small things, we can then be trusted with more as we mature. When I see little victories, I rejoice and trade those for bigger victories.

Story Time!

Let me give you an example of starting with small things. When I lost my home in Moscow, Idaho through eminent domain (2019), there were no houses on the market in Moscow within my price range. After receiving the relocation paperwork, it was nearing the time before we had to move and I hadn't yet found anything. On a very cold January morning, I heard the Lord say "Go look on Craiglist." I found the house I'm living in now.

The original article was written in 2017. It's now 2025 and I've lived in the new house for 6 years. Some additional circumstances led me to put my house on the market in preparation to move back to the Moscow area to begin the next phase of what's on my life scroll. To make a long story short, I did the right things to my house by properly investing in the future of this house. The value increased by 400% because of the improvements I made, all at the direction of the Lord. Now, had I not listened to His voice, it would be in a difficult situation now. Many people who came, "traded" into my current home through labor, cash donations, and materials as I turned it into a retreat center where NW Ekklesia met together for small gatherings. 

Why is this a big deal? Even though this is a small thing, it’s a forward moving step for me. If I handle situations properly, I'm propelled into the next level of authority, maturity, and financial freedom. And, I can be trusted with more money. As we learn, we’re trusted with more of everything.

My declaration over you today: May you walk in the light, love and glory of Yahweh. As you trade for more of Him in your life, may you see profound differences in all your circumstances. I release joy and peace over you as you walk with Him in His presence. Be infused with all He is so you can walk in health, wholeness and victory in your life!

Blessings!

Del