True prosperity has a spiritual basis. "God is the Source of
your supply." So states Catherine Ponder in her wonderful book
The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity. Just as we engage God through
prayer for that which we claim to be true, and we connect with
God spiritually through the practice of meditation, so too do we
give the GIFT of Tithing to consistently keep in touch with the
Infinite Source of our supply, God.
"Systematic giving opens the way to systematic receiving,"
according to Dr. Ponder. Giving to God 10% of that which we have
received to persons or places where you are receiving your
spiritual nourishment allows you to enjoy true prosperity with
wondrous results.
The practice of the ancient law of prosperity is as old as we
are as a species. From primitive man who offered sacrifices to
his gods to evolving civilizations of Egyptians, Babylonians and
Arabians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese, tithing (the word "tithe"
means "tenth") was a way of life. "The ancients intuitively knew
that giving, sharing and putting God first financially was the
first step to permanent, enduring prosperity," writes author
Ponder. They felt that ten was the magic number of increase.
Some of the most prominent millionaires of the twentieth century
attributed their extraordinary success to the practice of
tithing. Catherine Ponder reports, "In 1855, as a young man,
John D. Rockefeller began tithing. His total income for that
year was $95.00 from which he tithed $9.50 to his church."
However, she goes on to say, "between 1855 and 1934, he gave
away $531 million dollars. His standard reply to critics of his
generosity was 'God gave me my money.'"
So many of the plans for becoming wealthy and rich focus on
"getting" and forget about "giving." These schemes are not based
on a spiritual foundation. When God is in the equation, wealth
(meaning well-being and wholeness) is assured.
So what are we really doing when we are giving the GIFT of
Tithing? We are saying, "Thank you, God" for the generous bounty
that we have received. I recently read the most revealing
paragraph in Joel Goldsmith's book, Consciousness Transformed.
In it he states: "A mistake has been made on the subject of
tithing. Since it was discovered that those who tithe never know
lack or limitation, it was believed that if you would teach this
to people, they would always be prosperous," writes the founder
of the Infinite Way. "This is not true," he continues. "Tithing
is something that can only take place when individuals receive
inwardly the realization of what great gifts of God they have
received, and in gratitude decide to share some part of it,"
Joel says. "This sharing is just with the idea of thankfulness
for the realization of God's grace, and it is for this reason
that those who spontaneously come to tithe are always generously
and abundantly provided for," Mr. Goldsmith concludes. Tithing
is the active ingredient of Gratitude that prospers not only the
tither but the recipient of the tithe as well.
Tithing is the act of giving gratitude for the 100% we received
by leaving 10% with our Source-that is, the person(s) or
place(s) where we realize the Presence of God in our lives.
Traditionally tithing has been associated with giving to the
place of worship to which we belong. Often, "theologians have
tended to stress what tithing would do for the church, instead
of what it could do for the tither," says Dr. Catherine Ponder.
Yet, upon closer examination of Tithing as a spiritual practice
(not a mechanical one of obligation), we can only conclude that
it is the individual who will be prospered and blessed through
tithing. Naturally, the recipient will be too, since it's all
God.
There are countless stories about the financial, prosperous
success that comes from giving the GIFT of Tithing. "Since I
have been tithing, I have more money to spend, not less,"
reports one student of this class. "I put in my tithe last week
and suddenly the check that I have been expecting for months
came in the mail." "Since the start of this class and my
stepping into giving the GIFT of Tithing, my house sold." The
stories go on and on. I have also heard this one repeated: "I
was thriving financially and in so many ways when I was in
class, but I stopped Tithing after it was over and I'm back in
the same 'soup' I was in before."
So what can you expect when you begin to give the GIFT of
Tithing?
* Fear usually shows up. I don't have enough now. How can I
possibly...?
* Memories of previous associations with the word "tithe" may
surface.
* Trust will become the plank to walk when beginning this
practice.
* Surprise may ensue when you notice the amount of money you
have to use after giving 10% to God.
* Doubt may surface when the above is not the immediate
experience or when unexpected expenses show up instead.
* You may be surprised at the wisdom and judgment you are using
to manage the money you have been given.
* You will enjoy the ease with which you are able to meet your
financial obligations.
* You will notice that your connection in God deepens and thus
your spiritual life expands and your consciousness of wealth
grows.
* You will find that you want to give more than 10% to a variety
of places of spiritual nourishment.
* You'll wonder how you ever managed to live without giving the
GIFT of Tithing.
About the author:
Diane Harmony is an author, platform speaker, workshop/class
teacher and facilitator, ordained Minister of Religious Science
and guide on spiritual retreats. She is the author of the award
winning book, 5 GIFTS for an Abundant Life: Create a
Consciousness of Wealth. You can visit her web site at:
http://www.5gifts.com
