Saturday, June 16, 2012

T-Mobile and Tithing

One thing I have noticed in my life is that if I pay my tithing, I always have enough money for my bills and other necessities. At times I do not know where my needed money will come from, but it always comes. These are some of the blessings I have received in the past, which have also helped me financially:
  • I won a ward cooking contest. The prize was actually money and a gift certificate to the mall, which allowed me to make some needed purchases.
  • Sometimes, someone pays me back, either in money or kind acts, for something I've done or given them earlier.
  • I often find that many of my meals are provided by others, such as friends, family, church members, church functions, co-workers, or even by my work itself. I do not ask for these meals, but I am very grateful for them.
  • I am given clothing from friends or family members, and I also find nice clothing at D.I. Sometimes I find brand new clothing at D.I., and the clothes are actually cute too, not from the 80's. I consider this a blessing.
  • I receive a rebate or reward or gift card in the mail or from a friend or family member.
  • My friends or family generously help me to accomplish tasks that otherwise would cost more money (or sometimes time), such as allowing me to use their washer and dryer, or mending my pants and shirts.
And so forth.

Most recently, I accidentally answered a phone call from T-Mobile (my phone was in a sandwich bag, so I guess I hit the wrong button when I pulled it out of my pocket). I don't normally care to talk to solicitors, but I went ahead with it this time (I am a T-Mobile customer).

The man was calling to follow up on a text survey I had responded to earlier this year. He asked me about my answers, and I told him why I'd chosen them, and the whole call lasted maybe three or four minutes. At the end of the call, he informed me that he would be placing a $25 credit on my account to thank me for my time.

This is interesting to me. I know there are people out there who would say, "Oh, that's only $25, it doesn't really matter," but my finances are always tighter in the summer--there's less work (and thus less money), plus I have to register my car, plus I still have everything else I normally pay for. Even $25 is incredibly helpful, and I never would have foreseen that source of income. I count it as a blessing.

It makes sense to me that God would provide for those who pay their tithing. Even if I can't see how I can possibly make it through certain months or certain weeks, He has the wealth of the whole earth and universe at His disposal. I've proved this principle over and over again, and it works every time, sometimes to the penny: if I pay my tithing, He will take care of me.

7 comments:

Gary Arnold said...

Do you think that God does NOT provide for those who don't tithe? Have you read the tithing scriptures? You should. Then you would find that you haven't even followed one of them. No one does today. It is impossible.

Read Leviticus 27:30-33 and Deut. 14:22-29. Do you follow these commands?

Gary Arnold said...

Read Deut. 14:22-29 and then tell me if you follow God's tithing commands. If you don't follow these commands, please give me the scripture you are following.

renée said...

No, I do not think that God does not take care of those who do not pay tithing; however, there are blessings that are specific to each commandment, and paying tithing brings blessings which may not be available any other way.

The law of tithing, as set forth for this current dispensation, was given in 1838 to the prophet Joseph Smith. You can read more about the law of tithing here:

http://mormon.org/commandments/#keep-the-law-of-tithing

And you can read the original revelation here:

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/119.4?lang=eng#3

As it was in the scriptures you cited, a full tithe is considered to be one-tenth of one's increase, in addition to other offerings.

Gary Arnold said...

Sorry, I didn't know that you were a Mormon. Your beliefs are not the same as mine.

Tina said...

Dude, Renee. Great post. I believe that paying tithing has been a tremendous blessing in my life. Who is Gary Arnold? A guy you know? I liked your response.

renée said...

No, I didn't know him before. :o)

elegyrl said...

I had read this post before, and I did and continue to pay my tithing but it means so much more to me now that I am out on my own. It's a tricky world and considering my paycheck was less than i was expecting times are even tougher than I had figured they would be. I paid my rent and my tithing and although I am not sure how I know I too will make it to the end of the month. It's so funny as I look back on my missionary lessons and learning about tithing when Elder Rowe wrote in my pamphlet (pre Preach My Gospel days) "Renee money doesn't pay tithing, faith pays tithing" it didn't make much sense to me at that time but I have since learned exactly what he meant! What a blessing!