Unity Church of Castro Valley
Sunday Message for October 14, 2007
The First Billionaire, Joseph - Part 2
This week, we are continuing our series on the millionaires of the Bible. Today we are going to talk about Joseph and the rest of his story.
LIFE AS A BILLIONAIRE
Last week Joseph had been a slave and a forgotten prisoner. This week he has become Prime Minister of Egypt, the second richest man in the ancient world! Only the Pharaoh was wealthier.
Some of the manifestations of lavish abundance, which the picturing power of the mind provided for Joseph, were these:
King Pharaoh placed on Joseph's finger a signet ring as a symbol of royal authority and vast wealth. Joseph was clothed in embroidered garments. A gold chain was placed around his neck. He was given Pharaoh's second chariot for his own. He was given a lovely Egyptian wife, the daughter of a highly respected priest. Pharaoh conferred upon him an Egyptian title which was to be prophetic. It meant "Saviour of the world." Pharaoh said grandly, (Genesis 41:41) "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." The King meant by this statement, "I have set thee over the wealth of the universe," because the great empire of Egypt was the richest country of the ancient world.
Such wealth and honor would have turned the head of the average person. It would have emotionally unbalanced most people, but not Joseph, who had spent years being disciplined and prepared for the enormous wealth that was suddenly given to him.
THE PROSPERING POWER OF FORGIVENESS
Joseph's positive attitude about what he had been through is shown in the way he named his sons:
His first son was named "Manasseh," meaning "forgetfulness." Joseph explained, (Genesis 41:51) "God has made me forget all my hardship."
His second son was named "Ephraim," meaning "fruitful." Joseph said, (Genesis 41:52) "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortunes."
In these two statements, Joseph was practicing the prospering power of forgiveness. When you, too, say of hard experiences and difficult people, "I PRONOUNCE YOU GOOD," you open the way to reap the vast benefits of the prospering power of forgiveness.
A businessman in Palm Springs, California said, "I know that forgiveness prospers. A number of customers had not paid their bills. After the usual methods of attempted collection, I decided to try forgiveness. I took a week off and vacationed at Newport Beach. I spent a great deal of time reading along inspirational lines, and practicing forgiveness. I wrote out the names of those owing me money on my 'forgiveness list.' I called their names daily and declared that all things were cleared up between us. It worked! When I returned to my office, several of the largest outstanding accounts had been paid while I was away."
So think of the experiences in your life that you have labeled as bad and say with me, "I PRONOUNCE YOU GOOD,"
LAVISH ABUNDANCE DURING SEVEN YEARS OF PLENTY
Then came seven years of abundance: (Genesis 41:47) "During the seven plenteous years the earth produced abundantly."
During this period, Joseph displayed great humility. He did not sit back idly amid his vast wealth, but he worked diligently as an able administrator. (Genesis 41:45) "Joseph gained authority over the land of Egypt.". He had not been emotionally unbalanced by vast wealth.
During this period, he lived and worked amid unlimited abundance. (Genesis 41:49) "So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance--like the sand of the sea--that he stopped measuring it; it was beyond measure."
As Prime Minister he had a marvelous life, even though he worked steadily. He entertained in his home and at public banquets. He lived like a king. As a celebrity in his own right, he was loved everywhere.
It was all the result of years of disciplining his thinking, of picturing the good, and of not fighting back. Joseph proved that the longer your good is in coming, the bigger it will be when it comes, if you persist in expecting it, and in preparing to receive it.
THE RICHES THAT A FAMINE BROUGHT
During the following seven years of famine, Joseph's family came from the Land of Canaan begging for food. When his big chance for revenge came, Joseph ignored it by forgiving his family - his former tormenters who had tried to destroy him.
He explained, (Genesis 45:7) "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors." He gave them gold, clothing, wagons, donkeys, and fertile, well-watered grassland in the green Delta region of Egypt in which to live. He prosperously affirmed, (Genesis 45:18) "I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you may enjoy the fat of the land."
King Pharaoh was also generous to Joseph's family: (Genesis 47:6) "The land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land.". Joseph's father, Jacob, had already become a millionaire, as evidenced by the vast flocks and possessions he brought with him to Egypt. Due to Joseph's generosity, coupled with that of the powerful Pharaoh, the rest of Joseph's family became very rich, too.
Joseph brought Egypt safely through the famine and lived with his family there in honor, esteem, and vast wealth to a ripe old age. He promised his kinsmen that God would one day take them out of Egypt into their own rich Promised Land.
Yet there was a divine purpose in their following him to Egypt. There the Hebrews came into contact with an advanced civilization, and they developed the national prosperity consciousness they would need and use later to become one of the wealthiest groups of people the world has ever known!
THE PROSPERING POWER OF GIVING - AND OF GIVING THANKS
Although nothing is said in the Book of Genesis about Joseph tithing, he did so because his father, grandfather, and great grandfather before him had tithed. It was a Hebrew tradition.
Also, Joseph felt so strongly about the prospering power of tithing that he made a law over all Egypt that the people must give one-fifth, or two-tenths, of everything to Pharaoh, who in turn supported the temples and priests. Thus, the prosperous-minded Joseph required them to tithe not just one-tenth, but two!
In the life of Joseph is found a constant recognition of God as the Source of his supply and vast success. There are numerous Biblical references pointing this out, such as:
(Genesis 43:23) "The God of your father must have put treasure in your sacks for you." (Genesis 39:2) "The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man; he was in the house of his Egyptian master." (Genesis 39:5) "The blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field."
On the way to Egypt to live, Joseph's father, Jacob, had stopped at Beersheba (fulfillment) in the land of Canaan (realm of substance) to offer sacrifices. This would indicate that Jacob took the time to render thanks for the fulfillment and abundance that had come into his life. Offering sacrifices indicated that he followed the ancient custom of giving' 'thank offerings" and tithes in appreciation for:
(1) his son Joseph's safety in Egypt and his success there;
(2) the family's being saved from starvation;
(3) their reunion in Egypt.
The wealthy Jacob had long since learned that to give a "faith offering" before his prayers were answered assured results; and to give a "thank offering" afterwards sealed and protected the results and made them permanent. No wonder he lived amid such lavish abundance in his later years in Egypt! He had earned it in consciousness through his faithful giving over the years.
MIRACULOUS ABUNDANCE
The power of demonstrating miraculous abundance through a practice of giving is shown in this report from Canada:
"Last week when I wrote you from Victoria, British Columbia I sent a 'faith thanksgiving' tithe from the money I had miraculously found on the street. I am writing today from Toronto, Ontario to say I have since been divinely supplied with $1000! This has brought a great sense of joy to my heart, and a great sense of peace to my pocketbook. I am sharing a tithe 'thank offering' from this latest blessing."
THE GREATEST PROSPERITY SECRET OF ALL
The greatest prosperity secret that we learn from Joseph is this:
Vast wealth did not come to Joseph until he was ready for it mentally and emotionally. After the depths of humiliation - which he never accepted - Joseph was then lifted up into high honor and vast wealth. It did not turn his head, because he had earned it in consciousness first. He was ready to accept it and to retain it.
As symbolized by the events of his life, Joseph developed a superior consciousness of universal substance. He learned how to manifest that universal substance as visible wealth for himself and for the entire ancient world, mainly through the picturing power of the mind.
A BILLIONAIRE MEDITATION
The following statements, paraphrased from the life of Joseph, can help you develop a billionaire consciousness:
Let’s say the next affirmations together. " 'PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD' IS STILL A SUCCESS SECRET FIT FOR A BILLIONAIRE! JOSEPH BECAME A MASTER OF SUBSTANCE AND MANIFESTED IT AS VAST WEALTH THROUGH THE REPEATED USE OF THE PICTURING POWER OF THE MIND. I CAN, TOO! LAVISH ABUNDANCE IS PART OF A WELL-BALANCED PROSPERITY CONSCIOUSNESS. THE PICTURING POWER OF THE MIND IS THE OLDEST DEVICE KNOWN TO MAN FOR GETTING WHAT HE WANTS. I USE IT DAILY.
"I KEEP QUIET ABOUT WHAT I AM PICTURING. (1 CORINTHIANS 13:4) "LOVE IS NOT ENVIOUS" THE PROSPERING TRUTH HAS SET ME FREE TO PROSPER. I AM MASTER OF SUBSTANCE. AS I ATTAIN A SUPERIOR CONSCIOUSNESS OF UNIVERSAL SUBSTANCE, I PROSPER EXCEEDINGLY.
"I DARE TO EXPAND MY PROSPERITY CONSCIOUSNESS IN OUTER, AS WELL AS INNER, WAYS. I LEARN HOW TO HANDLE PROSPERITY IN AN ORDERLY WAY WITH WISDOM AND GOOD JUDGMENT. INSTEAD OF FRETTING ABOUT WHAT CAN BE TAKEN AWAY FROM ME, I PERSEVERE IN DEVELOPING A PROSPEROUS STATE OF MIND THAT CANNOT BE TAKEN FROM ME.
"I GAIN AN INTERIOR CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE BY BECOMING NONRESISTANT, ADAPTABLE, AND FLEXIBLE. I AM NOT RIGID OR NEGATIVE, SO I DO NOT REPEL SUBSTANCE. INSTEAD OF REACTING TO ANY APPARENT INJUSTICE, I CONSTANTLY PICTURE BETTER THAN THE BEST THAT I AM NOW EXPERIENCING. I PROVE THAT THERE IS PROSPERING POWER IN NOT FIGHTING BACK.
"I KEEP MY COOL BECAUSE I KNOW I AM BEING DISCIPLINED FOR GREATER THINGS. WHEN WEALTH AND HONOR COME, THEY DO NOT UNBALANCE ME. I PRACTICE THE PROSPERING POWER OF FORGIVENESS BY PRONOUNCING ALL OF MY EXPERIENCES GOOD. I DISPLAY GREAT HUMILITY.
"I CONSTANTLY RECOGNIZE GOD AS THE SOURCE OF MY VAST AND EVER-INCREASING SUPPLY. I TITHE MY WAY TO VAST WEALTH. I PROTECT MY WEALTH AND MAKE IT PERMANENT THROUGH MY 'FAITH OFFERINGS,' 'THANK OFFERINGS,' AND CONSISTENT TITHES TO GOD'S WORK.
"AS I DO THESE THINGS, I KNOW THAT VAST WEALTH COMES TO ME JUST AS SOON AS I AM READY FOR IT MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. THEREFORE, IT DOES NOT TURN MY HEAD, BECAUSE I HAVE EARNED IT IN CONSCIOUSNESS. KNOWING THIS, I REJOICE AND ENJOY THE WEALTH OF THE UNIVERSE AS IT FLOWS TO ME UNCEASINGLY."
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING A PROSPERITY MAP OR WHEEL OF FORTUNE
The fantastic power that lies in deliberately picturing what you want was brought to my attention many years ago by an engineer in Alabama who designed a "wheel of fortune" which worked so well for him that he went from a mediocre job in the Deep South to a multimillion dollar construction job in the Midwest.
He used a large piece of poster board, outlined a circle on it which he divided for the various departments of his life: financial, job, family, health, vacation, and spiritual growth. In each segment he placed pictures of the good he wished to experience in that phase of his life.
Later, a college professor in Austin, Texas, and a lawyer in San Antonio created simpler "success maps" which they made that produced equally successful results for them.
So, I would like to share with you these ideas, which I have found very helpful in manifesting one's good through pictures:
First: Keep quiet about your pictures. Do not discuss them or try to convince others to try this method. The words "secret" and "sacred" have the same root meaning. What is sacred should be secret. Do not "talk away" your good.
Second: Use big, beautiful, colorful poster boards, if you want big, beautiful, colorful results in your life.
A college professor made a small, crowded, drab, colorless success map for travel abroad and it worked! He had a crowded, drab, colorless trip.
Third: Use definite colors for definite results desired. According to the ancient science of color, you should use:
Green or gold poster boards for financial success maps, for job and career success.
Yellow or white for increased spiritual understanding.
Blue for intellectual accomplishments such as writing a book, or finishing a degree.
Orange or bright yellow for health, energy, a more vital life.
Pink, rose or warm red for love, harmony, marriage, happiness in human relationships.
Color is important because color impresses the subconscious mind much faster than black or white.
Whether or not you follow the foregoing ancient color chart, be sure to use colored poster board, always in a color that appeals to you emotionally.
Fourth: Use colored pictures, rather than black and white ones on your colored poster boards. A recent comment was “Now I know why my pictured good took so long to manifest. I had used black and white pictures and backgrounds rather than colored ones."
Fifth: Do not clutter your board, unless you want cluttered results. Make several maps for various phases of your life.
A housewife exclaimed, "Now I know why our house is so crowded. We placed a small, crowded house on our success map and we got just that!" Soon after she made a new map for a larger house, it came through her husband's promotion and job transfer.
Sixth: On your financial poster board, put money not just things you want. Otherwise you may get those "things" plus indebtedness!' Use play money or checks.
Also use specific affirmations for wealth if you expect specific financial increase, such as the following:
"I AM OPEN AND RECEPTIVE TO THE VAST WEALTH THAT THE UNIVERSE HAS FOR ME NOW. I AM BEAUTIFULLY AND APPROPRIATELY CLOTHED, HOUSED, TRANSPORTED AND SUPPLIED WITH THE RICH SUBSTANCE OF THE UNIVERSE NOW. THE ENORMOUS SUMS OF MONEY THAT ARE MINE BY DIVINE RIGHT NOW MANIFEST FOR ME, UNDER GRACE IN PERFECT WAYS. I WELCOME THEM IN HUMILITY, WISDOM AND PEACE. I AM RECEIVING, I AM RECEIVING NOW, I AM RECEIVING ALL THE WEALTH THAT THE UNIVERSE HAS FOR ME NOW!"
A specific affirmation for marriage that has worked for a number of people after they placed it on their success map was this:
"DIVINE LOVE ACTIVE IN ME NOW MANIFESTS FOR ME MY OWN TRUE (WIFE, HUSBAND) FOR LIFE. WE ENJOY A HEALTHY, HAPPY, PROSPEROUS MARRIAGE TOGETHER HERE AND NOW."
Seventh: Place a spiritual symbol on your poster board, such as a picture of the Christ, the Bible, or a Bible promise. This gives your desires a spiritual protection and opens the way for what you have pictured or something better to come to you.
Eighth: View your success map every day, preferably early in the morning and just before sleeping. The more often you view your pictured desires, the quicker the results will come.
A young insurance salesman sold more than a million dollar's worth of insurance during his first year in business, after he quietly followed these instructions and pictured those results on a success map.
There is no reason that you, too, cannot do this. Put your mind to it, make a success map, and see what the possibilities are.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 41:41; Genesis 41:51-52; Genesis 41:47; Genesis 41:45; Genesis 41:49; Genesis 45:7; Genesis 45:18; Genesis 47:6; Genesis 43:23; Genesis 39:2; Genesis 39:5; 1 Corinthians 13:4
REFERENCE: The Millionaires of Genesis by Catherine Ponder
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Last updated
October 16, 2007
