Some people think it’s preposterous. Some won’t touch it with a ten foot pole. When I read about it years ago, I was instantly turned off. It was about tithing 10% of your income and giving it to a place or person where you receive spiritual help and inspiration. I thought the technique was radical. I heard a speaker talk about it years later, saying how she doubled and even tripled her income this way and wouldn’t be without it. I was intrigued to learn more.
Here Are Some of the Things I Found Out About It
The practice goes way, way back. Tithe means “tenth.” It was the “magic number of increase” to the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese and more. People tithed systematically, taking a tenth from all their income and giving it away. When they did that, their luck shifted, they gained faith, and a whole lot more came back to them.
Keeping the Flow Going
So when you give, you’re not holding on for dear life. You give and then you receive in a kind of ceaseless flow. You give where you’ve receive spiritual nourishment. It can be to an organization or a person who’s contributed to your life in a substantial way. They give to you, and you give back to them. Then again you receive more and more financial well-being as you keep this flow going.
Tithing Expands You
When you come from a place of expansion rather than contraction, you can see that the more faith you have, the more you believe in the process and in the source of your financial good – and the more you are able to receive. You understand that prosperity has a spiritual basis, and you then find where your prosperity comes from. It doesn’t come from your job or your business or wife or husband. It comes from God – the universe – and you keep the flow going to someone or some place that has assisted you to be in touch with the Source.
Finding More Information
Two writers who have written eloquently about tithing are Catherine Ponder and Edwene Gaines. Both have helped people deepen their faith and understand the true power of giving a tenth of all the funds that come to them. When you practice it, a lot more comes in as prosperity and faith grow and expand.
My objection to this 10% idea is that it mostly comes from people who want your (my) money — preachers, teachers, gurus of some sort. I have given amazing sums of money away and for a long time it was without much thought but with great joy. Then I began to notice something. And the minute I began to notice, my attitude got very, uh, circumspect. I have to say I never “got” anything back for the giving but the satisfaction of it and the knowing that I had done the right thing for the moment we found ourselves in. But it has never turned into a money pile. I am not richer for having given and, as a matter of fact, I am on the edge of poverty with no sense that there is any kind of payback for giving other than the satisfaction of giving. But I could use some money now so my current attitude is “OK….where’s mine?”
So I have scaled waaaaaaaaaay back on giving….probably to about 10% — I give that much to one person each month — and not to gurus but to where I am confronted with the need. And when it’s gone for the month, it’s gone. But where’s the riches that is supposed to be part of the giving equation? I just don’t see, have not seen, any correlation between giving and some kind of cosmic payback.
Thanks for your thougthful comment. Not all approaches work for all people. It seems that the 10% you’re giving where there is need is a very compassionate act. Perhaps there are some other solutions for your situation as well, in clearing your thoughts or whatever you choose to do to create a greater inflow. I say, never give up, as your good may be just around the corner. Perhaps it’s jut a matter of time. I appreciate your taking the time to write. Blessings to you!
I have been faithfully practicing tithing for about 28 years. My life has been transformed in more ways than I could ever have imagined. Does that mean I’ve never had problems or challenges in my life? Of course not! But tithing has been my invisible life-line during those times to help me remember my true Source.
Tithing is not a quick returns show me the money type of deal. It is an act of faith to help strengthen our spiritual muscles; to remember that God Consciousness lives in us, as us. This awareness transcends religions and denominations and moves us into the super consciousness realms of Divine Law.
Tithing helps to heal and cleanse all levels of prosperity; financial, mental, spiritual and physical – it’s not just about the money. In the Old Testament Abraham tithed to Melchizedek. In the New Testament Jesus says to the religious leaders that they tithe of mint, anise and herbs but forgot the right attitude!
As Marilyn wrote, tithing has been around for ages. What I have learned is that you will only tithe when you have the inspiration to do so. And you will only have the inspiration to do so when the door to your Higher Consciousness has been tapped upon. Tithing is not a good will donation or act of charity, it is a spiritual principle and law. Not everyone chooses to follow laws and that’s ok, freedom is the essence of life!
Love & Blessings,
Rev. Debi
Thank you for that, Debi. It’s pure truth of the highest order, and it has been producing results for eons. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom!
I love the paragraph “tithing expands you” I will be using this on Sunday. Thank you for sharing
I’m happy that’s useful for you! Blessings to you!