Almost every spiritual and religious teaching exhorts its followers to donate a portion of their income to the support of the community and the common good, both as a way of ensuring (and insuring) the community's ability to care for its own and as a way to allow the tither to realize the extent of and to express gratitude for their own success. Although each religion and sect has its own idea of what constitutes a proper tithe (usually around 10% of the participant's earnings), the concept of tithing is a wise and long-standing tradition - one that each of us should be encouraged to add to our lives.
Giving "cleans out the pipes" of energy flow so that more can flow through, and it helps us realize our own abundance in the midst of our fears of scarcity - through giving to others we realize the true nature and scope of our own blessings by recognizing that we had that amount to give, over and above what we required for ourselves. But what about those who consider themselves "spiritual" but belong to no particular religion, or those who do subscribe to a particular religious tenet but, for whatever reason, attend no church or temple? How can they reap the benefits of tithing? One possibility is the creation of a tithe account.
The concept is simple. Set up a checking account, separate from any you may already have, and into this account regularly and promptly deposit the amount you have settled on as an appropriate tithe based on your beliefs and your income. This account is sacred - do not touch it for your own use under any but the direst circumstances (anything less than an immediate and life-threatening situation falls below this bar). Carry the associated checkbook with you always. Whenever you see a "good cause" or a way in which you can help, you can easily and quickly respond to do your part to support your community and those in need. (If you feel that anonymity is vital to such gifts, have your checks printed up with only your initials.)
So what are appropriate ways to use this account? Essentially, when you see a need that you can help with, go for it. Buy a gift certificate to the local tire center for the young mother in accounting who is riding on dangerously bald tires - with her baby in the back seat. Drop a check into the local firehouse fundraiser to buy a new truck. Donate to all those charities you "never had money for" before. Commit a string of random acts of kindness and senseless beauty. Play the free-ranging and anonymous crusader for good, wielding your pen and checkbook like a staff of kindness and charity.
Go on, it's fun - and don't be surprised if you find yourself paying closer attention to your community, looking for ways to give where once you might have simply looked for ways to ignore.
(c) Soni Pitts
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of sonipitts.com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.
She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.
home cleaning services Deerfield ..Life is growth. For many people life is like a... Read More
Adam had it right when he covered himself with fig... Read More
Are you facing some challenges in your life right now?... Read More
Is your hope in God? Or, is it in people?I... Read More
You are a dual being. Part eternal spirit and part... Read More
Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup) (marine cornel) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE... Read More
One of the biggest myths to evolve in the growing... Read More
Religion is "absolute truth of life" of the physical manifested... Read More
Sometimes showing up for life can seem like a major... Read More
The Orisha are the Messengers of Oludumare, the God/dess of... Read More
Every workday, five days a week, I take the light... Read More
On one side there is a dark cloud. It is... Read More
To a shaman a kachina isn't really a doll or... Read More
It happens to us all from time to time, especially... Read More
What power do we hold individually in the midst of... Read More
For it is written in Bible in chapter 2 Peter... Read More
The good that Paul writes about is a commitment of... Read More
Before Donna was born she took with her a dollar,... Read More
Lately, I have been asked a lot of questions in... Read More
Although your creative ability and talent is something that God... Read More
1. Identify a woman who is "like minded," who has... Read More
I am beginning a journey starting tomorrow. I have decided... Read More
Within every obstacle there is an equivalent or greater benefit.~Napoleon... Read More
As I sat down today to write this article, I... Read More
If you have a longing to connect with something higher,... Read More
recurring housekeeping Highland Park ..There once was a man who wanted to teach himself... Read More
The story of Cain and Abel stands very close to... Read More
There's a lot of talk in meditation circles about emptying... Read More
If you have a longing to connect with something higher,... Read More
Mrs. Dixon the famous prognosticator and psychic to the stars... Read More
In the early 90's I had a spontaneous Kundalini Awakening... Read More
If you were Satan and your goal is to destroy... Read More
Did you happen to see the made-for-tv movie, "Jesus," that... Read More
He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More
Spiritual health is generally an overlooked aspect of healing. However,... Read More
Back in the days of the old law of Moses,... Read More
Over the past years, I have undergone a life-altering transition... Read More
Contrary to popular beliefs, we are not our mind, our... Read More
Christians all over the world will all be tempted in... Read More
There is an old tradition song called, The Lighthouse and... Read More
Many consider anger a normal human emotion and continue to... Read More
The Question Really picture this in your mind.... Someone tells... Read More
Taco Bell, the Mexican fast-food franchise, has a new ad... Read More
Many of you come to this site because you are... Read More
Anyone who tells you that the path to self-actualization is... Read More
Every workday, five days a week, I take the light... Read More
What is Enlightenment?What do we really mean when we talk... Read More
As we go through life we all have to deal... Read More
By invoking an external God to whom we look for... Read More
Feeling restless? Is part of you calling out for change,... Read More
Spirituality |