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Taxes and Prayer
By admin | July 30, 2008
I have often told my classes that when you go into business for yourself, if they were not previously, they WOULD become a person of prayer!
The comment usually brought some knowing nods along with several snickers. Occassionalyy there were even a smirk or two!
One of my favorite examples was the story of how I paid my Personal Property Taxes on the inventory of my first motorcycle business. Shortly after opening in a great building that was only in a fair location, I was able to purchase a good building in a much better location. After being in this location for a couple of years, I discovered that I owed Personal Property Taxes on my inventory! This business was started with a lot of debt and no operating capital. ( A whole story unto itself that we may address later) Because of the financial condition, I did NOT have the money to pay the tax.
At that time I was in the habit of praying for guidance in my business daily. I knew that God wasn’t going to support cheating on my taxes, so I decided to let him figure it out. I knew that he knew I didn’t have the money, so I left it with Him and told Him I would address it when He told me to. Several months later, when praying over the business, this came up after I had completely forgotten about it. I know I may have just been in denial, but regardless it had come up while in prayer, so I took this as God telling me it was time to deal!
That day I went in to see our County Treasurer. When he came out, I introduced myself and confessed that I owed taxes that had not been paid. He looked at me with dismay and said that he had never had anyone come in and volunteer to pay taxes that they had not been billed for! He invited me into his private office and listened to my story. He asked how much my inventory was worth, and asked me about my building. He also asked if the building had been appraised, which it had. It turned out that I had paid taxes on the building based on a value that was just enough higher than the appraised value to cover my inventory. He looked at me and said, “Looks like your biil is paid in full”.
Some may say it was all coincidence, but I say God answers prayer!!
Jolly Joe
Topics: General Business Development |
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 pm
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