Unity Church of Castro Valley
Sunday Message for July 8, 2007
The Pioneering Millionaire, Abraham (part 2)
This week I would like to continue with The Pioneering Millionaire, Abraham. Last week we talked about Abraham's faith and his ability to loose and let go of all that was no longer necessary in his life. We talked about moving from a competitive state of mind to a creative prosperity consciousness. We discussed how we can form a vacuum in our life and how forgiveness can heal our prosperity thinking.
Another way you can get out of old states of mind and circumstances is by writing out what you want eliminated from your life.
There was an artist who had sold one of his paintings to a client who paid him off with a "$200 dog." The artist was delighted until he realized how much the dog was costing him in time and care. He had to feed him, walk him, entertain him, and take him to the vet for shots. When he decided to sell this pet, he quickly discovered that no one seemed interested in owning such a "high-class dog."
Finally he remembered about the power of elimination lists, and wrote down on his list the desire to sell the dog for $200 to someone who would love and appreciate such a fine pet. When he ran an ad (again) in the paper, he got an immediate response. That "$200 dog" was quickly sold and well placed for exactly that amount.
You don't have to be afraid of the word "eliminate." The function of that word "elimination" is two-fold: its purpose is first, to eliminate error from your life, and second, to expand your good. Elimination of something from your life is always an indication that something better is on the way! After writing out what you want eliminated from your life, declare daily: "I let go and trust." The results can astound you.
HOW YOU CAN MANIFEST SUPPLY THROUGH PICTURES
One of the ways that Abraham took hold of invisible substance and manifested it as visible wealth in his life was through the picturing power of the mind. This is an ancient method for demonstrating prosperity.
In the Land of Canaan, he and his nephew increased their wealth rapidly. (Genesis 13:5-6) "Lot, who went with Abraham, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them living together; for their possessions were so great that they could not live together." Because of conflict that arose among their herdsmen, they decided to separate.
Since Abraham was a true gentleman, he generously offered Lot whatever land he chose. Lot judged according to appearances and took the green, prosperous Plain of Jordan. It was well-watered and considered the Garden of the Lord. What Lot didn't know was that this Plain of Jordan was filled with warlike tribes. Later, when he got into battle with them, Abraham had to go and rescue him.
When Lot had taken what he considered to be the best land, Abraham was left to live in the barren Land of Canaan. Instead of fretting about the apparent wealth that had been taken from him by his ambitious nephew, Abraham graciously released it, and followed the advice of God: (Genesis 13:14-15) "Raise your eyes now, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever." So, God promised permanent prosperity to Abraham and his descendants, if they dared to claim it.
After God instructed him to picture the good he wanted, Abraham moved his tents to the Plain of Mamre in the Land of Hebron. From this episode, you learn an invaluable success secret: Abraham did not sulk when Lot took the rich land. Abraham let him have it, and then started picturing his own increased holdings in all directions.
But he went further: he moved into the Land of Hebron which symbolizes "concentration of abundant ideas." It isn't enough to just spasmodically picture your good. In order to produce worthwhile results you, too, must concentrate on abundant ideas. This is the secret of demonstrating increased supply! ("Mamre" means "abundantly supplied.")
A divorcee, who had suffered financial lack most of her life, learned of the prospering power of pictures. She made a prosperity prayer map or 'wheel of fortune' for herself and her family. On it she placed pictures of her daughters, with play money around them. She pictured a whole new life for herself.
One daughter was soon given a scholarship to cover most of her college education. A part-time job provided the balance. The other daughter married well and became financially secure. The divorced mother moved out of town into one of the richest resort communities in the country, where she built a whole new prosperity life style for herself, surrounded by wealth and beauty. And it all began with pictures.
Instead of fighting financial limitation in your life, you can picture your way out of it! The president of an insurance company once related at one of Catherine Ponder's Midwest seminars how picturing had prospered him, in spite of recession.
Early in his career, he made a success-graph on which he pictured the financial progress he wanted his new company to make annually for the next 10 years. In spite of "inflationary recession" his company was one year ahead of the financial success pictured on that chart! When he displayed his success-graph at the seminar, it was impressive. This executive proved that you can picture a thing and bring it through rather than trying to reason it through or force it through. You can hasten your good through picturing it!
As Abraham discovered, you can mold the substance of the universe into definite, tangible results through picturing what you want. Generalities don't produce results, because they lack substance and power. Vague hopes and indefinite goals are not convincing to the mind. But a clear-cut picture of the good you want activates people, places, and events to cooperate with your pictured desires.
A man in the real estate business wanted to buy an apartment house that was for sale, but he not been able to raise the money. Even though financing had not been arranged, he spent time every day in quiet meditation, picturing himself as the owner of that building. When he gained a sense of peace about the matter, he released it from his mind.
While negotiating a loan on other properties one day, one of his millionaire-benefactors learned of his desire to own the apartment house and quickly arranged financing. But nothing happened until the realtor had first pictured it!
To remind yourself of the fantastic power of pictures declare often: "I picture my good and bring it through, rather than trying to reason it through or force it through. I hasten my good through picturing it."
Let's say that together, "I picture my good and bring it through, rather than trying to reason it through or force it through. I hasten my good through picturing it."
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PROSPERITY
In the Land of Hebron, Abraham sealed or protected his prosperity by doing something the ancient people often did when their prayers had been answered: He built an altar to God.
When the Hebrews built altars and gave sacrifices, these acts carried financial significance. It meant that they made financial offerings to God.
They often built altars and gave "faith offerings" before their prayers were answered. They often built altars and gave "thank offerings" in appreciation after their prayers had been answered. They felt that giving before a prayer was answered opened the way to receive that answer. They felt that the act of giving after answered prayer helped seal or protect the result and make it permanent.
Abraham's giving at this point indicated his thanks that the good he was picturing had and would come in ever increasing degrees. His gift was both a "faith offering" and a "thank offering."
This age-old prosperity technique still works for those who use it. A woman of wealth said, "When anything negative happens to me, I know it is an indication that I haven't been giving enough. I always get busy and give either a 'faith offering' or a 'thank offering' to protect my wealth. This method has always prospered and protected me."
HOW TO BE LAVISHLY PROSPERED
When Lot got involved with the enemy forces who occupied the Plain of Jordan, Abraham graciously rescued him. (Lot symbolizes the negative side of faith that judges according to appearances and has to learn that things are usually not what they seem.)
Upon returning home from victory in battle, Abraham tithed a tenth of the vast wealth gathered in battle. He gave this fortune to the High Priest and King of Salem, Melchizedek. In return the Priest blessed him, and God made Abraham a promise that carries vast financial significance for us today: (Genesis 15:1) "Do not be afraid, Abraham, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."
Although the act of tithing was an ancient prosperity practice, many of our modern millionaires attribute their lavish wealth to this practice. Why? Because giving is good, but consistent giving through the act of tithing one-tenth of all one receives to the place where you get your spiritual food is far better. Consistent giving opens the way to consistent receiving. As promised Abraham, those who tithe are not only prospered exceedingly, even lavishly, but they are also protected from the negative experiences of life. Vast wealth always brings the need for protection. Tithing gives that assurance.
You can be consistently prospered despite "recessional-inflation" when you practice consistent giving through the act of tithing. In the process you should claim for yourself the same millionaire promise that was made to Abraham: "I fear not, because God is my shield, and my reward shall be very great." (Next week we will talk about the mystical millionaire to whom Abraham tithed such lavish wealth.)
Some years ago, a young businessman, with a growing family to support, heard of this mystic law of prosperity and began to practice tithing of his income at a time when he was making only $1,000 a year. Of course, he was barely surviving financially.
He tithed anyway - as an act of faith. Since faith moves on substance, his faithful tithing helped him gradually to prosper. Within 10 years, he was making $10,000 a year. (It seemed a fortune at the time.) Then he began to tithe two-tenths of his income. Within another 10 years, his income had grown to $100,000 a year! He then began to tithe three-tenths of his income.
This man recently said that he looks forward to soon giving five-tenths - one halt - of his income to God's work. He now lives in lavish surroundings and enjoys the company of those of vast wealth. His giving has made him rich, and his gifts have vastly prospered the church that taught him the prospering power of tithing!
So, let's say this affirmation together: "I fear not, because God is my shield, and my reward shall be very great."
THE HEBREWS' SECRET NAME FOR PROSPERITY
Later Abraham attempted to sacrifice his son Isaac, thinking that he should do so. God pointed out that such an act was not necessary, and Abraham immediately named the place of intended sacrifice "Jehovah-jireh," declaring, (Genesis 22:14) "On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."
"Jehovah-jireh" was the Hebrews' mystical name for prosperity. It meant "The Lord will provide for you, regardless of opposing circumstances." When financial limitation is staring you in the face, use it!
During the Depression years of the 1930's, a businessman could not get work. His wife heard of the prospering power that can be released through declaring that secret name for prosperity, "Jehovah-jireh." She began to spend a few minutes each day privately declaring, "Jehovah-jireh, the Lord [Law] richly provides for us now." Her husband soon got a job. It was not one that measured up to his fine executive abilities, but it put food on the table.
Realizing the prospering power in that sacred Name, this man began joining his wife each night in declaring, "Jehovah-jireh, the Lord richly provides for us now." He was soon offered a better job. As they continued to call on this Name daily, he got work in line with his fine training and executive ability. Over the years he continued to get one promotion after another with this large corporation. Finally he became one of its highest-paid executives!
This man never let his success "go to his head" but continued to join his wife daily in affirming and meditating upon that sacred name, "Jehovah-jireh." Together they traveled the world for his company on a generous expense allowance. After his death, his wife was provided a handsome pension. She felt the mystic power in that Name had led them from rags to riches.
So, let's say this affirmation together: "Jehovah-jireh, the Lord richly provides for us now."
A MILLIONAIRE PROMISE FOR YOU
Along with the other prosperity methods Abraham used to become the Bible's first historical millionaire, he used a basic prosperity principle you can use often. He constantly asked God for guidance and he received it. Abraham proved the prospering power of that statement: "I do not depend upon persons or conditions for my prosperity. God is the source of my supply, and God provides his own amazing channels of prosperity to me now."
In return for his faith, God made Abraham promises of the unlimited good that would come to his heirs in Genesis 22: 17-18. They included vast wealth, many heirs, and a longed-for Promised Land for his descendants. From Abraham we learn patience, because it was to be many years before all of these promises would be fulfilled for his kinsmen. But he taught them to believe as they waited and grew into their expanded good. He proved the prospering power of faith.
The Bible summed up his success: (Genesis 24:1) "The Lord had blessed Abraham in all things." This millionaire promise applies to you, too, as you follow Abraham's example in invoking the prospering power of faith through the use of "the dynamic laws of prosperity" - which include his use of release, forming a vacuum, forgiveness, picturing, prosperity affirmations, tithing, giving "thank offerings" and "faith offerings" - and through claiming your heritage of wealth on all levels of life.
You can get busy helping your dreams come true by declaring daily, "I have faith in God. I have faith in people. I have faith in things." This is how Abraham became a millionaire.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 13:5-6; Genesis 13:14-15; Genesis 15:1; Genesis 22:14; Genesis 22:17-18; Genesis 24:1
REFERENCE: The Millionaires of Genesis by Catherine Ponder
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Last updated
July 17, 2007
