Unity Metaphysics 2: 10 The Divine Economy

Unity Metaphysics 2 (Blue Book)
Lesson 10 The Divine Economy

10A DIVINE ORDER AND BALANCE:

“As we continue to grow in the consciousness of God as omnipresent life and substance we no longer have to put our trust in accumulations of money or other goods. We are sure that each day’s need will be met, and we do not deprive ourselves of today’s enjoyment and peace in order to provide for some future and wholly imaginary need. In this consciousness our life becomes divinely ordered, and there is a balance in supply and in finances as in everything else. We do not deprive ourselves of what we need today; neither do we ‘waste our substance in foolish ways nor deplete it uselessly” (P/172).

Having an attitude of assurance about our prosperity will enable us to maintain divine order in our finances. We will have faith that our needed good will always be available and that we will be guided in its appropriate use. Our trust in the perpetual flow of good will lie not in the accumulation of things but in the quickening of our consciousness of abundance.

10B IDEA OF POSSESSION:

“Every Thought of personal possession must be dropped out of mind before men can come into the realization of the invisible supply. They cannot possess money, houses, or land selfishly, because they cannot possess the universal ideas for which these symbols stand. No man can possess any idea as his own permanently. He may possess its material symbol for a little time on the plane of phenomena, but it is such stitches that ‘moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal.’ “ (P/17)

“As paradoxical as it may seem, in order to be established in a state of well-being, one must turn loose, temporarily at least, in consciousness the things that represent prosperity to him” (DB/187)

Belief in exclusive possession is an error that can ruin our enjoyment of prosperity. Even those who are expert at getting supply can short-circuit their enjoyment of it by believing in exclusive ownership. The Truth is not in ownership, but in stewardship. To be good stewards of God’s abundance, we not only accept our good but we willingly release our need to be identified with material things.

10C OVERCOMING FEAR:

“Money saved as ‘an opportunity fund’ brings an increase of good, but money hoarded from fear as a motive or with any miserly thought in mind cannot possibly bring any blessing. Those who hold the thought of accumulation so dominant in the world today are inviting trouble and even disaster, because right along with this thought goes a strong affirmation of the fear of loss of riches. Their actions bespeak fear, and the loss they dread is certain to be manifested sooner or later” (P/165).

Fear of loss produces limitation in our lives, whereas faith in God produces bountiful blessings for us. We must fully release and transcend our fears so that we are able to stay centered in an attitude of positive expectation.

10D STEWARDSHIP:

“It is not sufficient however to sit down and hold thoughts of abundance without further effort. That is limiting the law to thought alone, and we want it to be fulfilled in manifestation as well. Cultivating ideas of abundance is the first step in the process. The ideas that come must be used. Be alert in doing whatever comes to you to do, cheerful and competent in the doing, sure of the results, for it is the second step in the fulfilling of the law” (P/92)

“You have some talent and capability that, used to the glory of God and the honor of man, will bring you a rich reward. There is something that you can do better than anyone else can do it, and through the loving, efficient service you can render, you will fulfill a news in the world” (HLG/140)

“As you prosper, you have the responsibility of the wise and loving use of the bounties and opportunities that come to you” (ES/127).

The concept of stewardship is an important one in the Unity teachings. The same is meant to be true in each individual life. Our unique talents are meant to be developed and shared generously and wisely.

10E THE LAW OF INCREASE:

“There is a universal law of increase. It is not confined to bank accounts but operates on every plane of manifestation. The conscious cooperation of man is necessary to the fullest results of this law. You must use your talent, whatever it may be, in order to increase it.” (P/81)

“Giving of talents, abilities, attention, interest, love, service, opens the way for blessings to return to us through countless channels, and in both expected and unexpected ways” (ES/127).

We must remember that because of God’s limitless good will for us, the return is always greater than our investment as we use our gifts and talents.

10F GIVING FREELY:

“Be happy in your giving. God loves a cheerful giver because his mind and heart are open to the flow of the pure substance of Being that balances all things” (P/152).

“A gift with reservations is not a gift; it is a bribe. There is no promise of increase unless we give freely, let go of the gift entirely, and recognize the universal scope of the law. Then the gift has a chance to go out and to come back multiplied. There is no telling how far the blessing may travel before it comes back, but it is a beautiful and encouraging fact that the longer it is in returning,the more hands it is passing through and the more hearts it is blessings. All these hands and hearts add something to it in substance, and it is increased all the more when it does return” (P/143)

Giving freely is the only valid kind of giving. It is full compliance with divine law, and it should be a beautiful experience. Generosity is more than a virtue, it is part of divine love. When giving is purely and expression of love and generosity, then we have willingly cooperated with a divine idea. There is no higher or finer action than this. We should then make room in ourselves for an additional experience: RECEIVING. Let us not be reluctant to receive. It is part of the same law that inspired us to give. Freely give. Gratefully receive.

10G PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD:

“If you want to be possessed of every good thing in the world, take God as your partner, incorporate His mind into your mind, in your daily giving. Give of your substance with the thought that it is God’s money you are handling . . . With this thought in your mind you will begin to attract new spiritual resources, and things will begin to open up in your affairs” (KL/85).

The idea of conducting our financial affairs with the thought of God always in mind as our partner is a valid one. But the thought of partnership with God can be extended into more than the financial affairs of life. It can be made part of all areas of life. We can think of ourselves as partners with God in expressing good health, in all human relationships, in our recreational enjoyment, in all things. This adds a dimension to our awareness that we may never have experienced before.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

IN THE “DIVINE ECONOMY” WE HAVE FAITH IN THE ORDERLY PERPETUAL FLOW OF GOOD.

WE MUST FULLY RELEASE AND TRANSCEND OUR FEAR OF LACK AND STAY CENTERED IN AN ATTITUDE OF POSITIVE EXPECTATION.

GOOD STEWARDSHIP IS THE WISE AND LOVING USE OF OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS, THE LAW OF INCREASE STATES THAT WE CAN NEVER “OUTGIVE GOD.”

WHEN WE SHARE OUR GOOD WE MUST GIVE FREELY AND WITH A GRATEFUL HEART.

THE CONCEPT OF GOD AS OUR “SENIOR PARTNER” HELPS EXPAND OUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD AS THE SOURCE OF OUR INEXHAUSTIBLE AND ABUNDANT SUPPLY.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

What is your concept of good stewardship> Share some examples in your life that illustrate your ideas.
Suggest some methods for overcoming fear of lack.

THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION AND MEDITATION

"The idea of giving and receiving
is a divine idea
that helps us make connection
with the underlying substance,
ever-flowing
from the Fountainhead,
the Source.
It is a divine idea
That keeps the connection
unbroken.
If you need prosperity,
ask yourself,
"What do I have to give?"
Pray to be shown
how to give, what to give, how to serve.
Your prospering idea
will come through you.
You will enlarge and increase
the scope of your life
and its interests and activities"
(FN/153).