Prosperity

In Unity, we believe there is a connection between giving and receiving. Many of our members who feel most prosperous in their lives, also give generously. This is part of the circulation of abundance: what comes around, goes around.

Tithing is sometimes based on a percentage of one's income. Tithing in Unity is not necessarily a gift to one's local church or congregation. Tithing is giving back to one's Spiritual Source, whatever that source may be at the time. The traditional tithe is 10%, but many who are just beginning start with a smaller percent and work their way into a deeper demonstration of faith and gratitude.

Many find that giving based on tithing producing spiritual rewards that are unexpected. Those who tithe say they are more aware of the blessings in their life, and more conscious of the ebb and flow of the richness of life at all levels.

In 1990, I was dragged; kicking and screaming to a Unity of Kanawha Valley Service. Well, maybe not literally but I certainly did not go with the intention of positively transforming my life.
The first service wasn't so bad so I went to a couple more. I just kept learning new ways to think and believe that I could USE in my life everyday. Things at Unity made so much sense.

Well, I was hearing about this tithing thing. I had recently began my very first sales position and I loved it. I really wanted to be successful and to make money. I attended a prosperity workshop when the church was still on Bridge Road. The facilitators talked about giving 10% of your good to God. I decided to try it - what could I lose?

The next paycheck that I received just happened to be the biggest commission check ever at the time. It was $800.00. Wow, was I really going to go through with this idea of tithing? I must have calculated 10% of $800 about a dozen times. Each time it still came to $80.00.

I did it, I wrote a check to UKV for $80.00 and I put it in the collection plate. I can't say that it was easy. So now I was tithing. It started to feel pretty good. I continued, I've never stopped tithing since 1990. A few years after I started, I figured out that I wanted to tithe on the gross, not the net because I wanted the gross amount out of life.

I have had wonderful prosperity demonstrations in my life. From winning fabulous trips to hitting great sales to always finding a parking place to having the joy of "laugh out loud" fun with my husband and daughter. It's all prosperity and I'm grateful for all of it.

I've studied Katherine Ponder as well as some other authors. Some of the rituals that I practice include writing TYG (thank you God) on every check, keeping my money faced and in order (money's in order, life's in order) and telling God thanks for even the smallest things.

When I find a coin on the street or a buck in the bottom of my purse, I say "I'm always finding money". I watch my words extremely closely; only positive words and ideas that attract abundance. Remember that the Universe doesn't care what you say, it will simply agree with you and help you along the way. Why would you ever indicate that you were anything less than prosperous, surrounded by abundance and loving all of the good!

Tithing is a blessing to whoever or whatever you give your money, but the truest, guaranteed blessing is the one received by the giver!

Last modified: 03/11/10