Prove Me Now Herewith

We had a cool experience today. If the title or picture of the post haven't given it away yet, it has to do with the blessings that come from paying tithing. First, a little background so you know where we're coming from. As most of you know, both Melanie and I have not had a job since we left DC back in the beginning of May, so we have been living off savings. After paying for our last-minute, before-the-baby-comes-and-law-school-starts sightseeing trips and the move to WV, let's just say the funds had begun to dry up. Between all the moving around we weren't sure which bishop should have received that last tithing check.

In the meantime, I'm in the middle of the whole financial aid application process. The loans won't be arriving until school starts, so that gave us about 2 months to use the remaining savings. There was no way those funds could have lasted until August. Back in Utah, our old 98 Camry had been on the market since we moved and the last time we tried to sell a car, it had taken months. We were holding our breath that it would sell to get us through until the student loans arrived.

This past Sunday, we had our records transferred to the right ward and we gave the Bishop our tithing check. We were also fasting and praying for some financial help that day. Today, I got a phone call from my dad with some GOOD NEWS. The Camry sold! Our prayers were answered, and surprise surprise, the Lord kept His promise:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
-Malachi 3:10-

The story doesn't end there. Not only did the car sell, it sold for almost $1,000 more than what we had paid for it originally! (I hope they don't read this :) It is just an awesome witness for us that there really isn't room enough to receive the blessings the Lord gives to those who pay their tithing. Of the many principles of the gospel, I think tithing is one of the few that you can see the fruits of obedience so quickly and tangibly. I hate hearing people say something like, "I can't afford to pay tithing." Really people, you can't afford to NOT pay your tithing. We aren't capable of being 100% obedient to ALL of the commandments ALL the time, but we are capable of paying a full tithe 100% of the time. We're so thankful to have had our testimonies of tithing reaffirmed by this experience!