The Blessings of Tithe

Each of us who pays a full tithe can testify that the blessings of the Lord come to us personally and meet our individual needs.
The Lord has promised that if we pay our tithing, He will open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing so great that we will scarcely have room enough to receive it.

Many years ago John Orth worked in a foundry in Australia, and in a terrible accident, hot molten lead splashed onto his face and body.
He was administered to, and some of the vision was restored to his right eye, but he was completely blind in his left.
Because he couldn't see well, he lost his job.
He tried to get employment with his wife's family, but their business failed due to the depression.
He was forced to go door-to-door seeking odd jobs and handouts to pay for food and rent.

One year he did not pay any tithing and went to talk to the branch president.
The branch president understood the situation but asked John to make it a matter of prayer and fasting so that he could find a way to pay his tithing.
John and his wife, Alice, fasted and prayed and determined that the only thing of value they owned was her engagement ring--a beautiful ring bought in happier times.
After much anguish they decided to take the ring to a pawnbroker and learned it was worth enough to pay their tithing and some other outstanding bills.
That Sunday he went in to the branch president and paid his tithing.
As he left the office, he happened to meet the mission president, who noticed his damaged eyes.

Brother Orth's son, now serving as a bishop in Adelaide, later wrote: "We believe that [the mission president] was an eye doctor, for he was commonly called President Dr. Rees.
He spoke to Dad and was able to examine him and offer suggestions to help his eyesight.
Dad followed his advice, ... and in due course sight was restored--15 percent sight to his left eye and 95 percent sigh to his right eye--and with the help of glasses he could see again."
With his vision restored, John was never unemployed again; redeemed the ring, which is now a family heirloom; and paid a full tithing for the rest of his life.
The Lord knew John Orth, and He knew who could help him.

"President Dr. Rees" was my mother's father, and he probably never knew of the miracle that was wrought that day.
Generations were blessed because a family decided they would pay their tithing regardless of the difficulty--and then met a man who "happened by" and "happened" to be an eye surgeon who was able to make a great difference in their life.
While some may be tempted to believe these are just coincidences, I have confidence that even a sparrow cannot fall to the ground but He knows it.

-Sydney S. Reynolds -He Knows Us; He Loves Us -October 2003 General Conference

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi