Tithing: A Partnership with God
“What I give to others I give not away, for in my larger reality it remains ever mine. I am happy in the happiness of all!” ~ Swami Kriyananda
Tithing is a spiritual practice that honors God as the Source of all abundance.
Like a sincere prayer that offers a desire to God to be purified and blessed in his light, tithing spiritualizes our wealth.
When we recognize the infinite nature of the source, and reinforce this reality through a regular tithing practice, it creates a prosperous cycle that draws both material and spiritual wealth.
How much should I tithe: The 10% solution
This is a personal conversation between you and God. Traditionally, a 10th of one’s earnings is offered as a tithe. Ancient Vedic texts speak of Dashamamsha (the sanskrit term for one-tenth-sharing), a practice where 1/1oth of one’s earnings are considered holy and offered to God as His rightful share.
However, you can tithe any sum that you feel comfortable sharing. Sometimes, it is good to challenge our attachment to money by offering more than what is convenient. In times of financial difficulties, we may think “Oh, but I don’t have any money on me, how can I give?” In such times, it is a good practice to actively affirm abundance rather than close oneself to giving.
The blessing of giving
Stories of faithful giving
AT THE MASTER’S FEET
Paramhansa Yogananda faced tremendous financial challenges in establishing and supporting his divine work in America. Rajarsi Janakananda, Yogananda’s most advanced male disciple, was a self-made billionaire, whose financial contributions secured the future of Yogananda’s world mission.
One day in 1948, Rajarsi arrived at the hermitage and Yogananda came in to see him. After conversing together for some time, Rajarsi left the room and came back, holding a large envelope in his hand. He sat at Yogananda’s feet, opened the envelope, and laid certificate after certificate, side by side, on the floor at his Master’s feet. Then, on the other side of the stock certificates, he placed several cash bonds. Smiling, he looked up at Yogananda and asked, “Which of these two do you want?” Yogananda smiled and answered, “both.” Rajarsi laughed and handed them all to him.
OF SUCH IS THE WORK OF FAITH
R. G. LeTourneau, considered to be the world’s greatest inventor of earthmoving equipment, was a highly creative and successful businessman. Recipient of many awards and honors and deeply respected, LeTourneau’s early life was not easy. He left school at the age of fourteen, studied various trades, worked at a number of jobs, acquiring skills that would serve him well in later life.
LeTourneau was a firm believer in the practice of tithing. As his business grew, he committed 90% of his income to God and lived on 10% of his income.
His philosophy was simple: “I shovel out the money, and God shovels it back—but God has a bigger shovel.”
THE FINANCIAL SETBACK
There is a story about a businessman who was sitting in his office when his clergyman came in, soliciting funds for the church. The businessman wrote a generous check and had just handed it over when a messenger rushed in and announced that the man’s business had suffered an enormous financial setback.
“Give that check back to me,” the businessman demanded. The clergyman had no choice but to hand it over, saying, “Of course, I understand. This news has changed everything.”
“You bet it has!” the businessman said, tearing the check into little pieces. Then he wrote another check and gave it to the clergyman for twice the original amount!
Testimonial
