The Ancient Law of Prosperity

“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 meditation, so too do we offer tithes to nourish our connection to the Infinite Source of our supply - God. When we give systematically, our giving opens the way to systematic receiving.nnIn my book and prosperity course, 5 GIFTS for an Abundant Life: Create a Consciousness of Wealth, we examine the GIFTS (an acronym for Gratitude, Intentions, Forgiveness, Trust, and Sharing) that can lead us to a life of spiritual as well as financial prosperity. Tithing - giving to God 10% of that which we have received - allows us to enjoy true prosperity with wondrous results.nnThe practice of the ancient law of prosperity is as old as mankind. “The ancients intuitively knew that giving, sharing and putting God first financially was the first step to permanent, enduring prosperity,” writes Ponder. They believed that ten was the magic number of increase; the very word tithe means tenth. From primitive cultures who offered sacrifices to their gods to the sophisticated civilizations of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and others, tithing was a way of life. nnSome of the most prominent millionaires of the twentieth century attributed their success to the practice of tithing. 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. Not long after he gave away $531 million dollars. His standard reply to critics of his generosity was ‘God gave me my money.’nnToo many plans for becoming wealthy focus on getting and forget about giving. They lack a spiritual foundation. With God in the equation, wealth (meaning well-being and wholeness) is assured. Tithing is giving thanks for the bounty we receive by returning 10% to our Source – the person(s) or place(s) where we realize the Presence of God. nnTithing is traditionally associated with giving to our place of worship, but it need not be restricted to that. If you hear God in a symphony, you could choose to support the Orchestra playing the music so that they can continue to perform. Tithing is a spiritual practice, not a mechanical obligation. You will prosper and be blessed through what you give. Your tithes re-circulate what you have received so that it can continue to grow and multiply.nnThere are countless stories about financial success stemming from giving the GIFT of Tithing. “Since I have been tithing, I have more money to spend, not less,” reports one student of a 5 GIFTS 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,” another writes. I have heard many versions of this one: “I was thriving financially and in so many ways while I was in your program, but I stopped tithing after it was over and I’m back in the same ‘soup’ I was in before.” nnSo what can you expect when you give the gift of Tithing?nn1. Fear might show up. “I don’t have enough now. How can I possibly…?” Rise above your fears. Trust, in yourself and in God, that you can walk this plank.n2. Unexpected expenses show up and you doubt the wisdom of your resolve. Don’t give up. You will be surprised when you notice the amount of money you have to use after giving 10% to God.n3. You notice the wisdom and judgment you are using to manage the money you have been given, and you begin to appreciate the ease with which you are able to meet your financial obligations.n4. Your connection with God deepens, your spiritual life expands, and your consciousness of wealth grows.n5. You wonder how you ever managed to live without giving the GIFT of Tithing.