Unity Church of Castro Valley
Sunday Message for August 5, 2007
The Peaceful Millionaire, Isaac
This week, in our millionaire series, we are going to talk about The Peaceful Millionaire, Isaac. From Isaac we can learn how to increase our income a hundredfold in just one year!
Isaac has been described as "the man of peace." He was so peaceful that his importance has often been overlooked. Isaac has been regarded only as the rich son of Abraham - a quiet, pleasant man, but unassertive. Historians have described him as a gentleman. Abraham raised his son in the cultured, refined ways of the Babylonians. History reveals that Rebekah married Isaac for his money. She knew he was a millionaire and the son of a millionaire.
From a financial standpoint, there seemed little reason for Isaac to work. He was well provided for by his father. It says in (Genesis 25:5) "Abraham gave all he had to Isaac." But in spite of all of this, Isaac did work.
He demonstrated prosperity on his own in a big way: (Genesis 26:12) "Isaac sowed seed in that land, and in the same year reaped a hundredfold."
The lavish abundance that came to him from his own efforts, independent of the vast wealth which Abraham gave him, has been described: (Genesis 26:12-14) "The Lord blessed him, and the man became rich; he prospered more and more until he became very wealthy. He had possessions of flocks and herds, and a great household."
THE PROSPERING POWER OF JOY
This quiet, pleasant, unassertive man increased his income a hundredfold in just one year. The clue to his success is found in his name. The word "Isaac" means "joy, laughter, happiness, and peace." Just as Isaac was a well-opener, the power of joy opens up many powers deep within our being, and releases them as great good in our lives.
The pleasant state of mind is an attracting power for prosperity and success; whereas the unpleasant, over serious, strained, overworked state of mind repels prosperity. This explains why some people work hard all their lives, yet are never prospered. They are too serious and radiate a strained vibration that repels prosperity.
There is a mystical saying that explains: "Has a joyous declaration been recurring all the way through your life? If not, you have had a great deal of defeat you were not entitled to."
There once was a lady who felt she could not go on. In mourning over the death of her husband, she was heavily in debt and both mentally and physically exhausted.
One night when she was struggling mentally just to survive, she heard the word "joy" as though someone had spoken it to her. Her first reaction was, "What do I have to be joyous about?" The thought came, "At least you have the gift of life." Other blessings came to mind: Friends, family, job.
She began to say, "Joy, joy, joy, my life is now filled with joy." Things began to improve at once. Her grief slowly healed. Members of her family obtained jobs. A relative recovered from a grave illness. Her own work became easier and she began to clear away her indebtedness. In time joy had overcome all of her problems.
A businesswoman was advised to hold to the thought of joy amid somber working conditions. As she daily dwelled on that word, the atmosphere around her brightened up. When it became so joyous that fellow workers were responding to the point of hilarity, this lady concluded her meditations in the knowledge that joy had done its perfect work!
So, let's say that together, "Joy, joy, joy, my life is now filled with joy."
THE PROSPERING POWER OF PEACE
The peaceful state of mind, which Isaac symbolizes, has been underestimated. A healing method that became famous early in this century was very simple: The metaphysician who developed it got people into a relaxed, peaceful state of mind. Healing occurred naturally.
A high-strung businessman had suffered the pain and discomfort of ulcers for years. Then he began to attend a prayer group whose members spent time dwelling on "peace" as a healing power. Months later this businessman realized he had not only become more peaceful, but that his ulcers were gone. They never returned.
Another businessman had struggled for years in an effort to stop smoking. None of the usual methods had worked to cure his desire. Then he attended a lecture where the speaker talked about the restoring power of "peace." After this man silently considered these ideas, he joined in a closing meditation on "peace." That same day this man discovered that his desire to smoke was gone - never to return.
In the word "peace" is found every element of good: Life, love, wisdom, power, and substance. The mystics have long taught that the consciousness of peace is always the forerunner of victory. In the peaceful state of mind all of the blessings of life are found. The peaceful state of mind will win out against all odds. It will always demonstrate good results for you. Isaac proved this with the Philistines in his "wells of abundance" experiences - as we will talk about later.
You can gain control of your mind, body, financial affairs, and relationships with others by first speaking words of "peace."
The Psalmist knew that peace and prosperity are related when he affirmed, (Psalms 122:7) "Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers." Isaac proved that peace and prosperity go hand in hand. He increased his income a hundredfold in one year through a peaceful state of mind that was coupled with outer action as a farmer.
THE PROSPERING POWER OF BEAUTY
Isaac's wife, Rebekah, symbolizes "the soul's natural delight in beauty." When Abraham's servant approached her at the well for the first time, he made her acquaintance by giving her gifts of jewelry as a token of wealth from his rich master, Abraham, who was seeking a wife for Isaac. Rebekah was delighted with the jewelry and the vast wealth it represented.
As you begin to think along prosperous lines, you will become more sensitive to beauty. Beauty will give you a sense of peace and satisfaction that nothing else can. It will feed your inner nature. This is why you will crave more beauty in your world.
When you are trying to demonstrate increased prosperity, "put your best foot forward." Wear your best clothes, use your best china and silver in your home. Create as much beauty as possible in your business surroundings. To do these things makes you become an attractive power for increased supply.
HOW A PALM BEACH APARTMENT CAME TO THE AUTHOR
You can demonstrate prosperity by absorbing beauty. Wherever you go, absorb everything that is pleasing to your soul. Learn to drink in everything around you that you can enjoy and appreciate: Beauty, color, music, the aroma of flowers, the beautiful atmosphere of a room, building, or out-of-doors. This feeds your inner nature. When your inner nature is sufficiently fed, your outer needs are far more easily met.
Catherine Ponder lectured in the Palm Beach, Florida, area for a six-week period. Arrangements had been made for her to use a small apartment. Though it was adequate, it was not located in the "gold coast" area. Because she was lecturing on prosperity, she felt it was appropriate for her to be immersed in the millionaire-consciousness of elegant Palm Beach.
Since beauty is an attracting power for prosperity, it occurred to her that she should absorb the beauty of the area. She spent an entire afternoon driving up and down the famous "County Road" that winds for miles along the Palm Beach coast line. Along with the lavish abundance of nature found in that area, there are hundreds of beautiful estates located on that route. Absorbing the beauty of that area was an unsurpassed prosperity treatment which she engaged in for several hours.
That night, following her lecture, one of her listeners sought her out and said, "I would like to express my appreciation for the help I have received from some of your writings. I am a Palm Beach realtor. I have a lovely furnished apartment located just a block from the ocean on Palm Beach. It will be vacant for another six weeks. I would like you to use it during that period - as a gift."
Within a few hours from the time she had completed her long drive along Palm Beach, she had the key to a lovely apartment there, which she thoroughly enjoyed for the rest of her stay.
HOW THE AUTHOR MOVED INTO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OFFICE BUILDING IN TOWN
Along with absorbing the wealth found in large areas, another way to demonstrate prosperity is by absorbing the wealth found in beautiful buildings. Many people do this by visiting art galleries and studying the beauty found there.
A ministry that Catherine Ponder was once serving was in need of office space. She felt that until they could have lovely quarters, it was best to have none. So they didn't, for some time.
Then a new building was erected in the downtown area overlooking the State Capitol. It was by far the loveliest building in town. Catherine studied the advertisements which described the office space in that building, and felt it would be ideal for their ministry to be housed there. For many months she thought about this, but it seemed a preposterous idea financially.
When the desire persisted, she realized that was a divine indication that she should do something to mentally accept that possibility. On the first floor of that new building was a nice beauty salon. The Governor's wife was a regular customer. Catherine began using that salon weekly, just to get into the elegant consciousness of that building.
Within a few months from the time she began her weekly visits to that building, a substantial offering was given the church, which made it possible for them to lease offices immediately in that building. With their offices they were provided appropriate new furnishings, a fine secretary, and use of a private club at the top of the building. There they held their board meetings and other special events.
Suddenly Catherine found herself surrounded by a consciousness of affluence. Offices on one side of theirs were occupied by a retired Army general. Offices on the other side were occupied by a Texas oil man who drove to work in his Rolls Royce. Since this office building overlooked the State Capitol, the Governor and other State officials were frequent visitors in their building.
A young secretary working in a firm down the hall told Catherine she had read some of her books. She manifested her good when she married her wealthy and prominent boss! Catherine continued to enjoy occupancy in that elegant building as long as she served that ministry. It was a pleasant experience.
ISAAC MANIFESTED HIS "WELLS OF ABUNDANCE" THROUGH NONRESISTANCE
But, getting back to Isaac - "A weak man fights, but a strong man governs himself to higher purposes." This statement describes how Isaac manifested his "wells of abundance" and increased his income a hundredfold in one year. In studying the success symbology of his methods, you, too, will find how you can increase your good a hundredfold.
Isaac became so wealthy that (Genesis 26:14) "the Philistines envied him." When you become more prosperous through adopting a pleasant state of mind (Isaac), and by dwelling on beauty (Rebekah), the same thing may happen to you. If others envy you, don't be surprised and don't fight back. Hold the thought, "Love does not envy. The prospering Truth has set me free to prosper abundantly."
What was the success secret of this young millionaire, who could "keep his cool" in the midst of envy, and increase his income so enormously?
Along with a quiet industriousness was coupled a success quality that is often overlooked: That of peaceful non-resistance, which the Oriental sages have often described as "divine indifference."
The dictionary describes a nonresistant person as one who refuses to use force even to defend himself. A nonresistant person is one who is neutral to and unconcerned by forceful appearances. Such nonresistance forms a vacuum, which quickly acts as a magnet to attract one's good. People often do just the opposite: They fight for their good. The negative vibrations they stir up drive away the very good they are fighting to get!
As a man of peace, Isaac knew that becoming inwardly still in the face of a disturbing situation was the surest way of deliverance from it. Isaac's obvious use of the success power of nonresistance is shown in the way he diplomatically handled the troublesome Philistines. This was a tribe of people against whom the Israelites were constantly trying to defend themselves.
The Philistines envied Isaac: First, because he was a millionaire. Second, because he came into their Land of Gerar and reaped a hundredfold increase in his crops there in just one short year.
In their envy of his prosperity consciousness, the Philistines asked Isaac to leave: (Genesis 26:16) "Go away from us; you have become too powerful for us." With his large herds, many servants, countless possessions, and vast wealth, Isaac could easily have retaliated. But he refused to fight. He released, loosed, let go, and left. He hung onto none of his valuable land.
So, let's say that affirmation together, "Love does not envy. The prospering Truth has set me free to prosper abundantly."
GERAR, A HALTING PLACE
After moving his vast possessions into the Valley of Gerar, Isaac's herdsmen began to dig wells of water. Well-digging in a land of few rivers, where rains fell only at certain seasons, was of utmost importance. However, the word "Gerar" meant "a halting place." Isaac knew this Valley of Gerar symbolized a halting place in his growth. It was not a place in which he wished to settle down.
ISAAC'S FIRST & SECOND WELLS OF ABUNDANCE
Each well was given a name. From the metaphysical meaning of the name of each well, you discover how to manifest "wells of abundance" in your life, too!
The first well his herdsmen dug was named "Esek" which meant "coming in touch with substance." The troublesome Philistines appeared and said, (Genesis 26:20) "The water is ours." Isaac gave them the well and moved on to another spot.
As a mystic, Isaac was doubtless aware of that age-old teaching: Never ask why a problem has come to you, for always the indication is that your soul needs to learn the lesson to be gained in solving that problem.
The second well was named "Sitnah," which meant "strife, contention, or oppression." When the Philistines appeared and wanted these two wells, Isaac quickly released them.
He knew that in the expansion of his prosperity consciousness, he was beginning to come in touch with the inner flow of abundance ("Esek"), but he did not have to settle for that limited amount. By releasing this well, he expanded into a place of greater supply.
He also knew that to have hung on to the second well would only have caused strife and contention ("Sitnah").
HOW THESE WELLS OF ABUNDANCE CAN HAVE AN ELECTRIFYING EFFECT ON YOUR LIFE!
Can you identify with Isaac's experiences in developing his "wells of abundance"? If we bring it home to our own experiences in life, we may find that we have been busy digging wells of abundance in consciousness for a number of years. And we may have been experiencing the same outward results as Isaac did.
Can you remember the well-digging areas in your life? At the beginning you probably had a Gerar experience. It wasn't as productive as you expected it to be. It was only a halting place in your growth that motivated you to move on.
And then you had your experience with the first well, Esek. This was when you began to come in touch with substance. You began to learn the deeper laws of prosperity, and to gain an understanding of the universal laws for successful living. But you probably were only able to begin to become aware of them. At this point you begin to use the laws step by step. It was a slow process, but it was encouraging because you could see how this way of thinking could lead to a new way of life. This is what motivates us to try and try again.
And then you had your experience with the second well, Sitnah. This was when you began to more fully use the inner laws of success. But this may have caused strife and contention among those around you who try to oppress or hold you down to their limited level.
But that oppression can be the turning point for us that allows us to release everything gained up to that point and to move out into new experiences.
The prosperity explanation of Isaac's "wells of abundance" experiences have had an electrifying effect on so many people who have learned its deeper meaning. I trust this mystical prosperity formula will prove equally illuminating for you!
HOW TO BREAK THE SEALS ON YOUR WELLS OF ABUNDANCE
The wells his herdsmen dug symbolize an "inward source of life, a fountain of inspiration." When the "seal" is broken on this inward source of life, new substance flows forth in the form of increased energy, ideas, opportunities, and prosperous results. This leads to a renewal of the mind, body, and affairs. The "seal" is broken through continued digging in consciousness, or by persistence in expanding your thinking and your world.
This is exactly what Isaac did, because at this point he moved from the Valley of Gerar into his expanded good.
You can "break the seals" in consciousness on your wells of abundance through your persistent thoughts, words, and pictures of prosperity. As you get definite about prosperity in your thoughts, words, and actions, then prosperity gets definite about you, and it manifests.
HOW THEY BROKE THE SEALS ON THEIR WELLS OF ABUNDANCE
A businesswoman needed more money. She began to arise before daybreak each morning and to quietly meditate on the substance of the universe. She called it to her, until she actually felt an inner flow of energy pour forth into her world. The results? $20,000 quietly came to her in an unexpected way!
A businessman "broke the seal" in consciousness and saw his income double soon after he made a Success Map, picturing himself surrounded by money. As he privately looked at that map every day, and declared that the enormous sums of money that were his by divine right were coming to him, they did - through increased business transactions.
These prosperity formulas do work, if you take the time to work them in your life. Next week we will talk about Isaac's third and fourth well which did not get taken away and the effect his non-resistance had on the Philistines.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 25:5; Genesis 26:12-14; Psalms 122:7; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 26:20; Genesis 26:22; Genesis 26:27-29; Matthew 5:25
REFERENCE: The Millionaires of Genesis by Catherine Ponder
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Last updated
August 8, 2007
