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Dedicated to tithers and

future tithers everywhere.

IntroductionIn this book I want to share a

principle that creates miracles for meand can do the same for you. Theprinciple I am speaking of is tithing.

Tithing is the best kept prosperitysecret in existence. It’s an old secretthat works yet has been virt uallyforgotten.

Tithing is a sensit ive subject.Ministers, for the most part, are afraidto speak about t ithing for fear ofalienating their congregation. If aminister does talk about tithing somemembers feel that it is all that theminister talks about.

I will help you to comprehend thisgreat principle which will open life’scornucopia of unlimited good, so youcan experience it. To hear the principleof tithing (giving) is to comprehend it;to regularly and systematically tithe(give and subsequently receive) in ever

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increasing amounts, is to comprehendthis phenomenal principle.

I wrote this book on t ithingbecause I was asked to do so by a greatminister friend who knows that mywife, Patty, and I believe in tithing,practice it faithfully, and harvest (reap)its results. Our lives are blessed inexceedingly bountiful ways because wegive to spiritual causes that nurture andbless us.

Prior to 1974 (the year I wentbankrupt), I had heard this life-givingprinciple lamely discussed. The reasonis that, unfortunately, most ministersfeel ashamed to ask for tithes becausethey do not believe in or practice thisprinciple, so they cannot speak about itwith feeling, convict ion andtestimonials from their own experience.

After going bankrupt, and findingmyself mentally, spirit ually andemotionally depressed, I decided to“...seek and find” the prosperit y

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principles, which I wrote into my book,How to Achie ve Total Prosper ity. Inexploring for principles that can workfor anyone and everyone, I discoveredtithing. I started by giving a little andkept increasing it as my ret urnsincreased in virt ually automat ic,invisible and often unexpected ways.

Miracles never cease to amaze me. Iexpect them, but their consistent arrivalis always delightful to experience. Forexample, we financed an incomeproducing house at a high interest rateafter tithing. The banker called backunexpectedly and offered us alternativefinancing at a lower rate. To giveanother example, as a professionalspeaker, I discovered that one dubiouspromoter bilked my colleagues out offees, although he had paid me in full.One last example; when it is possible toget a sale price, a discount or a specialdeal on anything that Patty or I want, itis always available to us.

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These events could be calledcircumstance, but I choose to believethat “right” giving and an “attitude ofgratitude” seals the deal with God, andult imately the returns are going toalways be greater than the investment.This has been my experience.

God said that on earth there willalways be a “seedtime and harvest”(Genesis 8:22). The seedtime is tithingtime. Saint Paul said of the eternal lawof sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:7,“Be not deceived; God is not mockedfor whatsoever a man soweth, that shallhe also reap.” Therefore, give with thebelief that you shall receive a Biblicallypromised, multiplied return and youshall have it.

I have had lots of challenges (somecall them problems) because I have bigdreams, goals and desires, but theseprinciples have shown me that God ismy never-ending source of supply of allgood.

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As a t ither you automat icallybecome solution-oriented rather thanproblem-oriented. It’s a mystical andunexplainable phenomena that justhappens. I remember my dear friendChip Collins, who helped me to beginmy speaking career when I was twenty-six years of age. He was down to his lastthirty-five cents and had a wife and ababy to feed and no hope of earningany money. With tears in his eyes, hestarted beating on his steering wheelsaying, “God, what should I do?”Intuition flared and told him to tithe.He figured thirty-five cents would noteven buy milk for his baby, so heimmediately went into a CatholicChurch and prayerfully put thirty-fivecents in the offering plate. As he walkedout a feeling told him to solicit aspeaking engagement in a nearby realestate office. He did, and was hired andprepaid his $200 fee which saved hisfamily f rom starvat ion, lack and

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limitation. It also re-established hisself-esteem as a good provider. He hassince become a disciplined andcommitted tither.

Your needs and mine exist to bemet, not to intimidate, embarrass andharass us.

When you are reading a principlethat applied to you, as you read thisbook, take it personally, initial it andapply the principle immediately.Constantly ask yourself, “How can I usethis?” or “If I am using it, how can Iimprove my use of this principle?”

The guarantee that God is yoursource is in Philippians 4:19, “My Godshall supply all your needs according tohis riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Yousee, Jesus demonstrated what we shoulddo by the giving nature of the lifestylethat he lead.

Note that what you receive is notmultiplied but only that which you giveis multiplied. “Give and it shall be

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given unto you; good measure, presseddown, and shaken together, andrunning over, shall men give into yourbosom. For with the same measure thatyou measure, with it shall be measureto you again.” – Luke 6:38

Giving makes you more productive.Even the little lad who gave his lunch offive loaves and two fishes had Jesusmultiply his gift to feed 5,000 hungrypeople and gave back to the lad “twelvebaskets full.” Please note that givingserves the giver, many others, and isreturned multiplied.

In summation, tithing works forthose who work with tithing. If youhave never tried it, give it a three-month trial. Remember, when you give,like attracts like. If need be, start withone-percent of your income, t ime,energy or effort and build up to ten-percent. A great philosopher once said,“Whatever you want more of, give someof it away.”

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Patty taught me that our life-forceenergy increases by giving. All greatpeople are givers. They give 100% ofthemselves to whatever project theyapproach. I am talking about peoplelike Bob Hope, John Crean, etc. Youand I are remembered for what we give,not what we get in life. Make the givingprinciple real and personal in your lifeby testing it against every need youhave; mentally, physically, financially,socially or spiritually. These principleshave never failed me and rightfullyemployed, they cannot fail you.

In my book, Future Diar y , Iencourage you to write down whatevergood you desire in the future. Expandthat idea to include writing down whatyou want to t ithe financially. Youdecide what you want to earn, writedown what you will pledge from it.

Every year increase the amount.Perhaps there is a great talent to whomyou want to tithe. Bob Hope does and

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he encourages others to do so. Youcould create a foundation for children,like Del Smith did in my name, called“The Mark Victor Hansen Children’sFree Enterprise Fund, Inc.” inMcMinnville, Oregon. It operates muchlike a bank, making loans to youngentrepreneurs. Whatever your greatfuture gift (tithe) is to life, please writeit down and make it clear. Perhaps youcan make it so outrageously spectacularand life-benefiting that you can inducea lot of other people into helping yourealize your dream.

Be a great t ither and you willreceive as Biblically promised, 10,000times 10,000 blessings.

Congratulations! Enjoy your great good!

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The Miracle of Tithing

What is the purpose oftithing? Why should I tithe?

Every individual’s purpose intithing is to open up his/her awarenessof universal laws. Tithing opens you, toyou. You are an unlimited individual,deprived of a fuller, richer life partlybecause of lack of the t ithingexperience and expression in life. Oneneeds to do it for him or herself (andfamily) to get into the fourth dimension(love and spirit ual dimension ofwholeness) that is unavailable to theunenlightened. Tithing will help youto truly know yourself. When doingthis remember to rely on God’s abilityto provide, not your human ability.

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What results can I expect if Itithe?

Tithing consciousness, at its best,allows an individual, family or business,to become successful, f lourish andthrive. The Bible teaches that trueprosperit y includes having surplusmoney for your every need and desire,and peaking health to live happily, fullyand confidently.

Should I feel guilty about nottithing?

“Guilt” – Random House Dictionarydefines as “a feeling of remorse orresponsibility for some offense, crime orwrong, whether real or imagined.”

Therefore, feelings of guilt arecounter-productive to your own greatergood. Guilt is a form of self-persecutionand has no positive pay-off. If you havenot tithed, don’t feel guilty about it.However, once you make your decisionto tithe, stick to it!

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Is it true that most of theBible’s heroes are men ofwealth?

It is absolutely true that Abraham,Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, David, Solomonand others, prospered greatly. Godrewards individuals for wiselyemploying and maximizing theirresources. God promises prosperity,and a long, full life to all who tithe.

In Chapter 13 of Genesis , it isrecorded that Abraham was “very richin cat tle, silver, and in gold; thusfulfilling God’s earlier promise...’and Iwill bless you and make you great.’”Each of us can personalize andindividualize God’s promise toAbraham as our own valuable andviable af firmat ion. In your deepmeditations hear God tell you, “...and Iwill bless you and make you great.”

Isaac is described in the 26thchapter of Genesis , as having

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“possessions of flocks and possessionsof herds and much wealth.”

In the 29th Chapter of Chronicles,the narrative tells of David’s gifts towardthe construction of the temple. Thesegifts included one million talents ofgold, two million talents of silver,together with precious stones andpearls. Then the chiefs of the tribesmatched the gifts with some of theirown; five thousand talents of gold,twenty thousand talents of tin as well asbrass and iron.

According to James Dean, Ph.D.,author of The Keys That Unlock TheScriptures, a talent of gold at thirty-fivedollars an ounce was worth $55,270.83,and a talent of silver based on $90.05per ounce was worth $1,269.83. Nowthat is prosperity!

David truly understood how to usewealth wisely by “seeking first theKingdom” and having all (good) thingsadded unto him. David told Solomon:

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“And keep the charge of the Lord andwalk in his ways and keep his statutes...that you may prosper in all that you doand succeed wherever you go.”

Solomon obviously accepted thisidea because he went on to become therichest man in the world at that time.

What all of this means is that whenyou recognize, and use the spirituallaws of universe, you will haveunlimited good at your beck-and-call.As you control your thought patterns toproduce plenty and abundance, theywill do just that.

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Should I tithe in secret or inthe open?

Tithing primarily is a private affairbetween you and God (your good). Letyour conscience be your guide as towhether you want to witness to othersabout tithing. If it makes you feel goodto share your tithing experiences withspiritually awakened others, do it. If youtalk about tithing before the spirituallyunenlightened, they may ridicule you.

One of the richest men on earth, W.Clement Stone, has had a magnificentobsession of being America’s greatestphilanthropist and tither. He does atremendous amount of good andencourages others to do likewise. WhenDr. Robert Schuller interviewed W.Clement Stone about how it feels to bereally rich, Stone answered, “It gives methe power to do a great deal of good.”You have the ability to do as much ormore. Please do it, I am cheering youon.

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Should I make tithing a life-long habit?

Absolutely, yes! Tithing is easy if itbecomes a regular and systematic habit.Give ten percent of your gross incomeand live on the remaining ninet ypercent. The first ten percent belongsto God, and practiced tithers wouldnever dream of taking any of it. Theylive intelligently in the principle andreceive untold blessings, benefits andprotection. They are devoted to giving,receive the multiplied returns, and arefree from financial difficulty. If youshow me a person having financialdifficulties I’ll show you a non-tither. Iknow thousands of tithers and everyone of them enjoys prosperity -- that isyour spiritual right. It is God’s pleasureto give us the wisdom, if we arerighteous (i.e., rightly using our mindand wisely using his principles like

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t ithing). Tithers may have otherproblems but they never are in want.We either believe that “The Lord is myshepherd, I shall not want,” or we don’t.I believe it, and if you really believe ityou will demonstrate it.

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Is tithing encouragedthroughout the Bible?

The Bible definitely prescribestithing again and again, in the OldTestament and the New Testament. Itencourages each person to make tithinga cornerstone in their lives. Tithingensures freedom from material caresand is essential to the development ofthe soul.

Throughout history many of themost successful and outstandingbusiness people have attributed theirvast successes and prosperit y toobtaining and maintaining a habit oftithing.

“And all the t ithe of the land,whether of the seed or the land, or ofthe fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it isholy unto the Lord.” – Lev. 27:30

“Honor the Lord with thysubstance, and with the first fruits oftheir increase, so shall thy barns befilled with plenty, and thy presses shall

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burst with new wind.” – Prov.When Jacob had his mystical vision

of the ladder reaching into heaven hedecided to adopt the practice of tithing,realizing that; “God will be with me,and will keep me in the way that I go,and will give me bread to eat andraiment to put on so that I come againto my father’s house in peace.”

The only source and supply of allgood is God. Customers, clients,employers, employees, et al, are merelyinstruments through which God’ssupply is being channeled.

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What happens if I tithe?

It is not if you tithe, after hearingor reading this message. It is when yout ithe that the quest ion becomesrelevant.

The answer is simply; an individualwho fulfills the law of t ithing,inevitably demonstrates prosperity.

The law states that one should setaside ten percent of their gross income tothe service of God. This should be givenfor the sake of giving, not given for thesake of getting. It is important to do itbecause it feels right. Thought combinedwith feeling in the process of giving,guarantees that prosperity will increase byleaps and bounds until all fears of povertydisappear. Fear of poverty causes peopleto stay impoverished. As Job said, “Thething I have so greatly feared has comeupon me.” Tithing with head-faith andheart-faith prevents the disease calledpoverty, by creating a state of mental,spiritual and financial prosperity.

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What is the necessaryprerequisite for tithing?

The appropriate prerequisite for tithingis a state of mind that knows, understands,and believes that tithing works. A titherwho gives in a stingy or begrudging mannerreceives in a stingy begrudging manner.

Tithing should not be done in a senseof superstition, fear, guilt, or with anymisgivings. Such negative states ofconsciousness preclude any demonstrationsof prosperity.

Tithing is an extremely efficient andeffective act of faith. The practice of tithingwill deepen your whole-hearted feeling andconviction that it works, as the miraculousresults pour into your experience.

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If I have cash flow now anddon’t tithe, what happens?

Remember always: “God is thesource and supply of all good.”

If we don’t tithe, it means either weare ignorant of the law of tithing or wedon’t believe in God’s law.

If you know you should tithe anddon’t, you will reap in experience whatyou sow in consciousness. You maylose either what you have or itsabundant flow. It is like the automobiledriver who knows the car needs oil anddoes not put it in. Sooner or later thecar stalls. Material prosperit y, nomatter how vast, inevitably stalls unlessspiritual prosperity underwrites itssacred f low by regular, systemat ictithing.

I know of people violat ing thisprinciple who have gone broke, beenfired, exhausted their unemployment

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insurance, had their business burnedout, etc.

If you have never tried tithing, giveit a three-month trial period. After that,you will never again quest ion itsvalidity.

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What exactly is tithing?

One needs to tithe ten-percent ontheir gross income plus all of theirdividends from their investments.Therefore, if one earns one hundreddollars, their weekly tithe should be tendollars. Tithing is not to generalcharities, philanthropies or for materialgiving. A tithe is not ten percent of theamount one is able to save out of his orher income.

As a layman, I am always amazed atthe church attendees who tithe onedollar and think that they havecontributed their fair share. That wouldmean that they only earned ten dollarsthat week. I’ve witnessed masses ofpeople preventing their own greatergood by not t ithing faithfully andhonestly with excitement and love.

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Tithing is devoted to spreading theknowledge of the spiritual truths. Untilthis happens, no educat ion, socialreform, or political reform will do anylasting good. Each person needs tolearn the spiritual truth and use it. Jesussaid “You shall know the truth and thetruth shall set you free.”

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How often should I tithe?

The best t ime to t ithe isimmediately upon receipt of income,whether daily, weekly, monthly,quarterly or annually. It is easier to do alittle at a time, as it arrives, than to waitand attempt a big payment. If you don’tplan to attend your spiritual center, maila check whenever you receive income.

“Give and it shall be given untoyou; good measure, pressed down,shaken together, and running over, shallmen give unto your bosom. For withthe same measure that you measure, itshall be measured to you again.” – Luke6:38

Tithing was obligatory according toHebrew law and it is worthwhile to notethat as long as tithing prevailed, theHebrew nation prospered collectively

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and individually. All who have evertried it honestly and faithfully have hadthe same great results. Tithers have Godas their financial partner and He ownsthe entire resources of universe.

Like attracts like, so give generouslyand boldly with an attitude of gratitudeand your receiving will be the same.

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Should I wait until therecession is over to starttithing?

To end your personal recession,start tithing at once, using whateverresources you have right here and rightnow. Tithing will facilitate theautomat ic improvement of yoursituation and circumstances. Note thatthe greater your need, the moreimportant it is to start t ithingimmediately. One’s problems allemanate from one’s mental attitude,disposition, mood and beliefs.

Spiritually done, tithing (done withyour heart and head) always gets thedesired result. Because it is done on apercentage basis, it is fair to all and theresults are adjusted to the size of yourproblem.

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Is there an even biggercontext to tithing than justgiving support?

Absolutely yes! Each individual hasa God-appointed way of servinghumanit y. Each of us has amagnificent, usually invisible, talentwhich we are to recognize andmaximize by giving it away. A perfectexample of an individual who isfamiliar to everyone, who hasmaximized his talents is Bob Hope. Hehas been in vaudeville, comedy, onBroadway, on radio and does quarterlytelevision specials in addition to 250one night stands per year. He hasunselfishly given of himself to make theworld laugh and people love him for it.Hope has tithed his spirit, mind, bodyand even convinced his show businessfriends to do the same.

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Are there bonuses to tithing?

Most embryonic tithers are surprisedto discover:

1. Their remaining 90% goes farther and does more than the original 100% ever did.

2. Their spiritual lives deepen, become enriched and are more enlightened.

3. Tithing gives the wise and faithfulservant expanded opportunities,that are a direct consequence of tithing.

4. Their faith in Universal Law becomes stronger than ever before.Those who tithe know from experience, that all of their desires are fulfilled and their life overflowswith blessings.

5. Their income is forever increasing.

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I want to tithe to the zoo; arethe tithing benefits applicable?

A t ithe is a give to God’s goodworks. While zoo’s are great, they aretechnically not run by churches andgenerally are not spirit ual inorientation. So the answer is “no.”

Does tithing to specificprojects of the church countas a tithe?

The answer is “yes.” The point is thatyou want to become regular and systematicin your giving so that you receive in aregular and systematic way.

Churches take on special projects sothat the minister and the congregation cankeep on growing. If you cease to grow youbegin to die.

You prosper as your soul prospers. Getexcited about your church’s opportunity togrow, expand and spread the truth. Getinvolved totally. If you want more out ofthe church, put more into it.

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My husband was laid off andwe barely have enough to liveon, much less to pay the bills.Should we tithe?

Of course! To overcome lackconsciousness and enter into prosperityyou absolutely need to tithe. Tithingwill expand your awareness. Gettingyour husband re-employed in his rightlivelihood will pay the bills. You willstart having surplus money andeventually pay your debts. Poverty is adisease, it creates more misery,depression, theft and suicides than anyother malady. God is rich and wantsHis children to be rich and prosperous.God created this abundant world withHis Word. He gives human beingssimilar creative word power. Speakyour word to your bills, get perfectemployment and total enjoyment fromlife.

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If you really have a lot of fear aboutstarting, do as my minister and herhusband did when they started their lifeof tithing.

They started tithing a percentagejust a little out of their “comfort level.”In this case, it was three percent of theirgross income. As the channels ofreceiving God’s abundance opened up,they would increase the percentage oftithing. Each time they would feelcomfortable, they would increase theirtithing another percentage point untilthey reached the desired ten percent.

Af ter five years, they have nowincreased their tithe to over ten-percent.You can do the same!

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In my business, if cash-flow isreally tight, is it a “violation”to skip a week of tithing if itmeans bills will go unpaid?

There are several possible answers.Read the following with feeling and youwill hear what you need to hear now:

The Bible clearly states that youshould t ithe first (f rom the grossincome), then pay your bills. By tithingfirst, your tight cash flow will becomeloose, unexpected business will arrivemiraculously and save the day.

Whether you tithe or you don’ttithe, you get to pay your bills. Bytithing as prescribed repeatedly in theBible, you literally open the flood gatesof heaven to at tend to your everyfinancial need. If you don’t tithe, youshut off the invisible system (God’sinfinite intelligence) because you missyour deserved blessings.

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Businessmen who t ithe such asAndrew Carnegie, make a writ tencovenant with God and say, “I’ll earnmoney the first half of my life and thenattend to tithing and charity the secondhalf of my life to do the most good andthe least harm with my money.”Perhaps your trust bond to God is thisclear. If not, write one now.

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How does seed money whichgoes beyond my tithing work?

Seed money is likened to the waterone leaves at a deep water well to primethe pump to get the water f lowing.Every user pumps out what they needand leaves a bucket-full behind to seedthe next flow of water. Tithing in thisanalogy is the building of the wellitself. The well was built and exists forall to freely and regularly use – it keepson keeping on. Seed water or money,just helps you to start the flow.

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When one cannot tithe, doesthe “not giving action” workagainst him or her?

One can always do whatever onereally wants to do. If you want to give –give!

Let’s say a wife wants to tithe andher husband opposes the idea. Sheshould start to t ithe out of herallowance, play money or earnings.

Not giving always precedes anddetermines – ultimately and inevitably– not receiving. Tithing guarantees apredetermined positive financial result.

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Why is a tithe one-tenth? Whynot one-sixteenth, one-eighthor one-fourth?

A t ithe is biblically based andwritten by the enlightened servants ofGod. The tithe (or tenth) is easy tocalculate, could be figured out on one’sfingers and understood effortlessly byall schooled in rudimentarymathematics.

Can I tithe more than tenpercent?

Yes indeed! Malachi 3:8 speaks of“tithes and offerings.” A tithe is ten-percent and an offering goes beyondthat.

There is an old cliché that says ifyou need something give some of itaway. Therefore, if you need money,give money tithes and offerings. If youneed time, give some of your time to a

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church, hospital, convalescent home;read to the blind or join Meals onWheels, Big Brothers or some similarorganization.

The IRS will allow tax credit for upto fifty percent of one’s adjusted grossincome, given to religious andcharitable enterprises.

The above means that thegovernment (IRS) and Jesus supportyour giving. Jesus said, “Give untoCaesar that which belongs to Caesar(i.e., taxes) and give to God that whichis God’s (tithes and love offerings).”

Tithing is not and never has beenan ending place. It is a beginning place.It stimulates the law of circulation tooperate. A tithe is not a debt we owe,but a seed we sow!

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But I don’t have anything togive!

Everyone has something to give, orGod wouldn’t tell you to give. Youeither have time, effort, consciousness,or items you no longer need or want(do some spring house cleaning, nomatter what season it is) that you cansell or donate, or you have money.

God requests that you give so thatyou open up new channels to receive.

The only time God can multiplyback more good into your life and thelives of others, is when you give.

Your life is important to God andHe would not play with something asimportant as you. When you are givingyou are living; when you are caring,you are sharing all the good you have.

Giving is not a debt, but a seed thatguarantees our future harvest. Jesussaid, “The harvest truly is great, but thelaborers are few.” – St. Luke 10:2

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Why does tithing work?

Tithing works because it worksfrom inside you. It changes your beliefthat life is about taking, to a newunderstanding that life is about giving.Giving guarantees receiving. It alwayshas and it always will. What is amazingis that giving expands your spirituality,especially when you give in the spirit oflove, joy and cheerfulness from anunselfish heart.

God is everyone’s source.Individuals and opport unit ies aremerely channels or instruments ofsupply. Rest assured that God’s greatresourcefulness will miraculously findits way back to you in manyunexpected, bountiful ways.

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How important is the spirit ofgiving?

The spirit of giving meanseverything.

Money gifts, in and of themselves,are neutral, they are neither good orbad...your thinking makes it so.However, a gift given with the attitudeof grat itude and with the spirit ofexpectancy always gets a bountifulreturn. Remember, God is the Source.Give before you receive, and expect amiraculous return. You and I are togive expect ing to help others andourselves in multiplied ways.

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What happens if I give anddon’t receive?

Check yourself out with this simpletest:1. Do I recognize God as my source

and supply of all good? 2. Am I tithing regularly and with a

system? Do I tithe when I receiveincome of any kind, at the beginning of projects and at their successful conclusion?

3. Am I truly expecting to receive? Am I awake to all the possible channels that are trying to give me surplus good?

Write out your answers to thesethree questions – privately – then askyour spouse or someone close to you(someone you trust) to respond to thesame questions. It might enlightenyou. Basically, it’s simple to receivemore from life and give more to life.

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Can you defer the payment ofyour tithes to a future time?

Most individuals need the security oftithing in the sweet here and now, to feeland know that their good is circulatingfreely and easily into their ever presentnow. However, men like Andrew Carnegie,Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller all hadprayerful covenants with God. Each oftheir memoirs state that they asked God tohelp them realize their fullest potentialand they would remember God and over-tithe out of the ever increasing abundance.Each did help churches and wereindividually phenomenal philanthropistswho ultimately funded foundations todirectly and indirectly be “...about yourFather’s business.” Carnegie founded andfunded the American free library system.The Rockefeller and Ford Foundations areboth multi-billion dollar enterprisesattempting to serve the health andeducational needs of humanity’s lessfortunate people.

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What is the best tithingdemonstration you’ve everheard?

Larry Gates, formerly a fund raiserfor Dr. Robert Schuller, told me thatJohn Crean, founder and CEO ofFleetwood International, publicly gave(tithed) twelve million dollars worth ofranch stock to Dr. Schuller’s ministry.Fleetwood stock jumped three times thesame day because the U.S. Governmentsimultaneously announced that theywere put t ing a lot of money intomodular housing, which is Fleetwood’sspecialt y. You may call this acoincidence. I don’t think so. I heardMr. Crean interviewed by Dr. Schullerand he stated that when he was younghe had a friend who told him that inlife, “There are winners and losers.Winners are givers and losers aretakers.” He chose to be a winner and henow says he tithes thirty percent of hisgross income.

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I believe all the universe isGod’s Church, so can I give tothe hungry and the poor ratherthan building anotherunnecessary church building?

It is stated above, what the Bible says.However, fifty percent of Americans donot attend any church and probably havesimilar feelings to those expressed above.

In-so-far as God is omni-presentthroughout the universe, it is better togive somewhere than not give at all.Each of us has an intrinsic need to give.Jesus said, “That which you have done tothe least of my children, you have doneunto me.” Therefore, it is good to aidand assist the hungry and the poor. Ifpossible, help them to learn the principlesso they can then help themselves. Theconcept of a hand-up rather than a hand-out is the right idea. The oft-quotedphrase, “If you feed a person a fish youfeed him/her for a day. If you teach aperson to fish, you feed him/her for a

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lifet ime.” Be into teaching theseprinciples. I have known severalindividuals who have been so inspiredand helped by the ideas of NapoleonHill’s Think and Grow Rich, that theyindividually have given thousands ofcopies in hopes of teaching principles ina useable way.

Also, please read Ralph WaldoEmerson’s essay on the “Law ofCompensation”. It will show you that itis impossible to give without sooner orlater receiving in kind. It proves thatgiving does not cause you to have less,but in fact, guarantees that ultimatelyand inevitably you will have more. Thelaw of compensation pays you back inmultiple returns. While the principle isinvisible, it is forever working.

We must feed the physical humanfood, before we can serve him or herwith higher levels of spiritual awareness.

In a magazine interview in PersonalSelling Power, March 1983 issue, Dr.Wayne Dyer, best selling author, says,

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“Everyone who knows me knows that forevery dollar that I spend on myself, Ispend ten on other people. I always havebeen generous to a fault. There are a lotof things I do because I feel they arehelpful to other people. I see myself as agiver. I give a lot of money to charity. Ispend a lot of my t ime helpingunfortunate people learn the tithingprinciples and show them empiricallythrough recognit ion of their owndemonstration that it works.”

Reaching others by teaching otherswill enrich you and the world. Ifeveryone learned and practiced tithingthere would be no more lack of any kind.With children, the principle is easy toteach. It is also much easier to start thispractice by tithing ten cents out of everydollar when you are young rather thanwaiting until you have $1,000,000 andsaying that you will then give $100,000.I am sure that if you start small, you canever grow tall in giving.

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If I don’t have any money, howcan I give?

Everyone has something to give.Think about volunteering your timeand energy. When you give, miracleshappen in your life. You can supportworthy causes. Visit a convalescenthome, befriend the elderly, assist in achildren’s cancer ward, give time to theSpecial Olympics or go to any hospitaland offer your services.

These activities do not have to belong term commitments, but are sure tocure depression and make you feelbetter about yourself.

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I just heard about tithing. Towhom should I give?

Follow your heart and give to thespiritual group that resonates positivelyand constructively to what you believe is“...true, honest and of goodreport...”Give to the person, place orthing that serves you, or that you feelgreatly serves others.

Visit a variety of churches and pickthe minister, not the church building,not the denomination, not necessarilywhat your parents did, or what someoneelse said. Be still and listen to yourinner-knower. It will tell you what isright for you, in the quiet stillness ofyour prayer, meditation and spiritualretreats.

Pick the minister, priest or Rabbiwho leads you to ever greater and deeperspiritual truth and understanding.

When I was at the universit y, Idecided to take the teacher, not the

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subject. A great and inspiring teacher orpreacher can make any subject comealive and be meaningful, relevant andlead your personal growth, developmentand fulfillment to new heights. Onceyou’ve located your spiritual mentor,support him or her financially, mentally,spiritually, emot ionally and evenphysically. Befriend your new spiritualspigot of enlightenment, enlivenment,and enrichment. Attend church and itsmany act ivit ies, volunteer yourassistance, take classes, go to spiritualretreats, convent ions and growthmeetings. Your life will blossom andbloom in magnificent new ways.

One final suggestion, make sureyour choice of ministers or spiritualteachers have great plans to dophenomenal amounts of good to thebenefit of all humanity. Get into givingand your receiving shall be totally andabsolutely ensured by God’s invisiblebank accounts.

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