Although I was unable to share certain of my career experiences with just anyone, prayer was an important part of my daily work, both while in sales and while in photography and others of my entrepreneurial experiences; you may or may not know that I have had many ideas that turned into profitable businesses. This has been both a blessing and a curse. Having a free flow of ideas has always been helpful when it came to doing my job, however. I attribute this ready flow of ideas to a relatively clear conscience and daily communication with Heavenly Father. I have never approached perfection nor even approached “very good”, but I have always kept trying. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has allowed this tedious process to continue, more-or-less, unimpeded.
Earning the big bucks in sales can be a tough job. Not only do you have to sell your products, but you have to try to out-manuever the management, who invariably gets greedy when they feel you are making “too much” money. They are known to divide up your territory and re-write comp plan, to pay you what they feel is a more reasonable amount—for them. Although a fairly talented salesman, I was never a natural salesman.
I was essentially an introvert, and I cringed to have confrontations. The job of sales is one of confrontation—to one extent or another. In many ways, my Mormon life-style was at odds with the typical stereo-typical salesman, as was my personality. But with Heavenly Father’s help, I maintained a good income for years while in sales and sales management.
I often sought inspiration regarding how to address specific problems that would arise on the job. Many times, I came up empty-handed at the end of the month. I have never had a problem paying tithing.
I was tested early in my Church experience regarding this principle. Tithing is one of two opportunities that I know of within the Scriptures where God essentially says, “Try it! I’ll prove it to you.” I do not know what it is like to not pay tithe, once converted to the principle, but I know what it is like to have logic and reason tearing at your faith and telling you to pay a particular bill or other important expenditure, instead of paying tithes and offerings.
My faith has been rewarded concerning tithing so many times that I will only attempt to convey a few experiences—but the uncanny ability to come up with the sales required year after year for many years, regardless of the job or circumstances, I attribute primarily to paying tithe faithfully. Tithe is one-tenth of your net increase annually. It is easier, however to pay tithing as we get our money.
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