Tithing from Faith

Many years ago I took the Crown Ministries financial management course. At the time, I figured I wasn't doing such a good job managing my family's money so might as well see if the Bible had anything good to say about it. One of the premises of the class was the tithe. Ya, ya, ya. Ten percent. Ok, sure. "I can't afford it, but I'll work on it." "I give to charity."

Then a few months ago, a Big Dog from the Mormon church came as a guest speaker to my church and presented on....what?....you guessed it: tithing. He told a story of being a young lawyer with a new wife and needing to take care of business. With not enough money coming in to cover the bills, how could he tithe first? Yet he did. Ten percent. And within a very short time, enough money was coming in to not only cover the bills but bring them prosperity.

Then last month I went to Edwene Gaines' class on the Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity. Had the book, went to the class. Edwene further refines the teaching on WHOM to give the tithe to. She says "many mystics believe that if you tithe to need, you create need in your life." She says "giving to a charity is a very kind and generous thing to do, but it isn't a tithe." Her definition of a tithe is very clear: "one-tenth of all income given back to where you receive your spiritual food in order to acknowledge that God is your source."

She also tells the story of starting this at a time when she didn't have two nickles to rub together. Anyone relate? She says she started to tithe as a scientific experiment rather than an act of faith. She even challenged God to "open the windows of Heaven and pour you out a blessing." That's from Malachi, if you were wondering. Don't know where. Check your concordance.

Well, I'm in a similar place as I start this new business life. Creating students in my music school and clients for my Max business, I am reaching for abundance. What have I got to lose?

As a side note, I think I put myself in this position to close the back door to having what I want. As long as I had a salary, I was only willing to try so much, get uncomfortable talking to people so much before I would stop and justify my non-activity. Now there is no choice. I am more humble and also more certain. I speak about my endeavors with great confidence. I am the captain of my ship. I have a quality service and a quality product to offer people.

Back to the tithing question. Two weeks ago I started the 10% tithe of everything that comes in. I have given it to the church, to my Peacemaker Class teacher, and to the Vision seminar. These are all places I have been spiritually fed.

I recently received a check from an investor. This is a loan. It will be paid back in full within one year. Do I tithe on that? It's money coming in, but it's a loan. When I make the money to pay the loan back, do I tithe on that, too? Isn't that a double tithe? Or do I simply tithe on everything that comes in regardless if it is a loan or just clear money I received? Edwene tells of a man who tithed on what he WANTED to make rather than what he made and in a very short time, he was making that amount. Tithing extra is a bonus.

So, yes, I will tithe on the loan money because if I don't, I may find myself in a scarce position again. Edwene says the inflow will stop because the Universe says, "Oh, she's not ready for more money yet, she hasn't tithed on what she's got."

I am READY to receive right now. Thank you, Universe.

Today I added two new students. I'd say the flow has increased. Here we go!!

Love and prosperity,

Pam