Tithing
by Jacqueline Angel

I have been inspired to write this article by the hundreds of people who have asked me to explain what tithing is all about. My own resistance to full on tithing took many years for me to overcome. Charity I could handle because it made me feel so righteous and better than whoever got whatever I gave them. Tithing was a different thing altogether. For one thing it meant really figuring out and keeping track of how much money I was actually making. That looked like conforming to the regular 9 to 5, five days a week, working environment I rebelled against in the '60s. It might put me in the position of being just like everyone in my church that I felt so superior of due to my being such an enlightened physical immortalist. After all, I had been around the world with Leonard Orr and many other famous Rebirthers and trained with only the best gurus. I was not to be fooled into giving to others what I could put in my own savings accounts and call "Tithes to the God within me."

In short, I cheated myself that way for years, of the promised Blessings of God! I'd had 'The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity' by Catherine Ponder in my library for 10 years but never read it. 'The Richest Man In Babylon' by George S. Clason was just another story that I tried to make work my way. Yes, I survived and even prospered but I didn't thrive in the way that I saw others doing. Finally I made a New Year's resolution that I would really tithe in the right way. What then, is that right way?

1. Intention-Clarity of purpose: Everything comes from God Almighty who cannot lie, and tithing is returning to God at least a tenth of all He has given into your keeping. Mal.3.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to hold it. Le.27.30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's, it is holy unto the Lord.

2. Sacred Secret-Without Ostentation: Tithes are sacred and should be kept secret. Mt.6.1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Then emotionally release your tithes in order to avoid feeling that you are attempting to bribe God or the recipient.

3. Focused tithing: Lack of systematic tithing leads to lack of systematic return. and scattered tithes will bring scattered results. Pr.3.9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.

The Old Testament Bible tells us that the Hebrews tithes totaled about one-fourth of their gross income and were distributed like this:

• The first tithe was to Priests and places of worship (The places where you are receiving spiritual help and inspiration, such as your Church, Inspiration University, Leonard Orr, this Rebirthing Directory could qualify. Ask God to reveal the right person or spiritual organization and focus your tithes on them.)

• The second tithe was a retreat or festival tithe (Rebirth Seminars, trainings, Jubilees, work here).

• The third tithe was a charity tithe. (Who do you know that really needs some of the riches God has blessed you with?)

• The fourth tithe was a first fruits of what they produced. (Whatever your services, products, creations are, be sure to tithe from it, which means give it away for free.)

• Then there is a Heave tithing which is made to other organizations, your so called competitors, and to the people that help and inspire you in your own work.

4. Determination: When? First before anything else! How Much; 10% (if you feel you can't tithe 10% of your gross income, start with 10% of what you have right now, then work up to 10% of your net income, then work up to 10% of your gross income, and then to however more you feel led to tithe.) Don't stop there...At the beginning of each week or each month, whatever the pay cycle that you've worked out for yourself, Tithe! First before anything else! Co.16.2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

5. Believe God's Promises: Lu.6.38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Mal.3.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to hold it.

Click on INTERNATIONAL REBIRTHER'S DIRECTORY to tithe here.

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Last Updated 12/28/2001