|
"
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even
that he hath." ...
- The
Master Mind Jesus [Matthew 13:12]
Someone
special to this ministry in Houston, Texas, requested that I write a
message on tithing. I don't think in the 7 years that I have been
writing these weekly messages that I have written about tithing more
than perhaps once before. One of the reasons I have not written
about tithing is that my belief and experience with tithing conflicts
with many of those who teach tithing ... and I suppose it could be a
little controversial to some. Tithing is a method used to
demonstrate "increase" in our financial prosperity.
1) I will begin with the viewpoint that
tithing is 10% of our income or money received. Tithing, to be
effective, must be scientific ... in other words it should be a
percentage of income. If we earn $1000.00 per week, our weekly
tithe then is $100.00 at 10%. If, in the next week our earnings
increase to $1500.00 for the week, our weekly tithe becomes $150.00 at
10% ... simple. We all understand this. But, let's use the
same scenario with a 5% tithe. The first week the tithe is $50.00
and the second week the tithe is $75.00 ... it is mathematic and
scientific ... and it reflects the increase the same as a 10% tithe.
To believe that tithing has to be 10% is superstitious and unscientific.
The purpose of tithing is to focus our mind on our income and to
"fix" in our mind that our consciousness has the power to
determine whether our earnings increase, decrease or remains the same.
Any percentage that we use will create this demonstration if practiced
consistently and consciously. Tithing is not supposed to create
financial struggle or sacrifice ... this is nonsense ... it is to
enhance our life and increase our prosperity. We should choose a
percentage that allows us to feel good about what we are giving ...
"the Lord loves a joyful giver." If we are feeling
burdened by our tithe ... we won't feel the joyful-ness of it.
2) Secondly, most of us have been taught,
or we have read, that we are to tithe to the place where we receive
spiritual enrichment ... our church, synagogue, or spiritual center.
But, I believe that this is inherently wrong. The Master Mind
Jesus taught that we are to keep the things between us and God between
us and God ... in other words, do not let the right hand know what the
left hand is doing. To tithe to a single place often results in
others knowing the amount of our tithe ... and in some cases, when the
tithe is a large amount, it can create undue attention and a distraction
from the purpose of tithing. I have even read of churches that
publish the names of their large donors in their newsletters and one
that I know of went so far as to have a special banquet for them.
None of this is metaphysical. And I have found that many of the
churches and spiritual centers that teach tithing, do not tithe
themselves, creating an imbalance within the consciousness of the
organization. Making our tithes "specific" to a certain
organization causes us to lose the spontaneity of who we choose to tithe
to. An authentic metaphysical teacher or organization will never
ask this of its members any more than it would ask for membership dues
or financial pledges ... these are not in Principle. The Principle
is demonstrated in freedom and liberty and memberships and financial
pledges always come with rules and obligation ... not liberty.
3) The Rabbi Jesus taught that the law is
"give and be given to" ... and this simply means that we are
to "give out" to the world in which we live. And for
most of us this "giving out" of our tithes is to organizations
and programs that we want to see grow and expand their benefit to the
world ... and this can include our churches, synagogues and spiritual
centers ... but is not limited to them. "Cast your bread upon
the waters," is a wonderful way to look at tithing ... waters is
plural ... and by spreading our tithes out to several recipients we are
most likely never going to feel any obligation or undue attachment to
the way in which the money is used ... and neither are we going to
receive unnecessary attention for our tithes ... which may distract us
from the Principle that we are demonstrating.
I
recommend that everyone practices tithing ... it works and it is an
effective way to align ourselves with God's nature ... Giving-ness.
All of nature multiplies what it is given and this Principle works for
the individual, the group, the organization ... anyone who practices the
Principle. Tithing works ... and it is simple ... mathematical,
and scientific. Not only will we benefit financially from the
practice of tithing ... we will increase our joy and happiness as well
... I guarantee it!
And
So It Is!
Maximum
Love,
Rev.
Bates
|
