Unity Metaphysics: 17 The Laws of Money

17A SEEK THE ‘KINGDOM’:

“There is a kingdom of abundance of all things, and it may be found by those who seek it and are willing to comply with its laws. Jesus said, “that it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.” This does not mean that it is hard because of his wealth, for the poor man gets in no faster and no easier. It is not money but the thoughts men hold about money, its source, its ownership, and its use, that keep them out of the kingdom. Men’s thoughts about money are like their thoughts about all possessions; they believe that things coming out of the earth are theirs to claim and control as individual property, and may be hoarded away and depended on, regardless of how much other men may be in need of them. The same belief is prevalent among both rich and poor, and even if the two classes were suddenly to change places, the inequalities of wealth would not be remedied. Only a fundamental change in the thoughts of wealth could do that.” (Charles Fillmore Prosperity 16)

This paragraph is one of Charles Fillmore’s most comprehensive essays on the errors of strictly materialistic thinking about supply. He sees this kind of thinking as futile, unpleasant, and unnecessary because there is a dimension of consciousness where abundance is always available. He calls this “the kingdom.” It is the same kingdom Jesus often speaks about. Jesus did not advocate poverty. He only commented on the danger of riches. Likewise, the Fillmores certainly did not recommend poverty, but by their own lives were examples of what can be attained when one shuns avarice or acquisitiveness.

17B LAW OF COMPENSATION:

“’Give, and it shall be given unto you’ is the statement of a law that operates in every thought and act of man. This law is the foundation of all barter and financial exchange. Men scheme to get something for nothing; but the law, in one of its many forms, overtakes them in the end. Even metaphysicians, who above all people should understand the law, often act as if they expected God to provide abundantly for them before they have earned abundance. It is an error to think that God gives anybody anything that has not been earned.” (The Twelve Powers of Man 27)

Most people think only of working as a way of earning. But Charles Fillmore saw that under spiritual law, giving is also a way of earning. There are countless ways of giving, and not all of them would be recognized by the world as such. Sometimes just deciding on an attitude is a way of giving. Sometimes just giving up an attitude is giving. There are so many ways to give and all of them are recognized and rewarded by Spirit.

17C WHAT MONEY REPRESENTS:

“It is not money, but the love of money, that is the root of all evil. What men need to know is that money represents a mind substance of unlimited abundance and accessibility; that this mind substance cannot safely be hoarded or selfishly used by anyone; that it is a living magnet attracting good of every kind to those who possess it; that those who train their thoughts to depend on this mind substance for supply of all kinds never lack.” (Keep a True Lent 106)

The statement that “money represents a mind substance of unlimited abundance and accessibility” is worth pondering very seriously. When understood, it opens all sorts of new insights and realizations and can change one’s basic attitude about money. The difficulty connected with this metaphysical insight is that mind substance is not visible and tangible; only its representative is. And so the tendency is to worship money rather than the divine source of the mind substance. When this attitude changes, and the divine source is worshipped, prosperity can be enjoyed to the fullest.

17D THE MONEY ‘IDEA’:

“The wise metaphysician deals with the money IDEA and masters it.” (Charles Fillmore Christian Healing 136)

“Watch your thoughts when you are handling your money, because your money is attached through your mind to the one source of all substance and all money. When you think of your money, which is visible, as something directly attached to an invisible source that is giving or withholding according to your thought, you have the key to all riches and the reason for all lack.” (Keep a True Lent 102)

Here Mr. Fillmore expands the metaphysics of money and sees it as an “idea” as well as a “representation.” In the second paragraph we detect what that idea might be. It is the idea that money, like everything else in existence, is connected to the invisible Source through our minds. This makes good metaphysical sense. Money itself is not the trap one may fall into, but erroneous attitudes about it can be a trap.

17E 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 in the working of this law. You must use your talent, whatever it may be, in order to increase it. Have faith in the law. Do no reason too much but forge ahead in faith and boldness.” (Charles Fillmore Prosperity 81)

The Old Testament is a record of religious thinking based upon belief in a law of even exchange. The New Testament is a record of religious thinking based on the law of increase. Jesus often tells His hearers, “You have heard that it was said. . . But I say unto you. . .” Such passages illustrate a rise in the level of religious thinking. This rise must occur in all who seek to attain a true prosperity consciousness.

17F LAW OF GIVING AND RECEIVING:

“There is a law of giving and receiving and it requires careful study if we would use it in our prosperity demonstrations. It is a law of mind action, and it can be learned and applied the same as any other law.” (Charles Fillmore Prosperity 145)

“Law of Giving and Receiving—The law of substance that equalizes all things. To realize and maintain divine order, substance must have both an inlet and an outlet in consciousness, and must be kept moving. To demonstrate substance as supply, the law governing it must be recognized and kept. Those who, from pride or ignorance, do not open themselves to the inflow of substance do not demonstrate supply, and all who by selfishness refuse it an outlet, also fail.” (Revealing Word/Law)

Giving and receiving is one more example of the necessity for polarity of energy expressions in order to have manifestation. Manifestation cannot occur without polarized energy expressions. This is a law of physics as well as metaphysics. Giving and receiving are the two poles of the same universal energy. This energy is experienced in most persons as feelings of generosity. This energy wants to be expressed, and so we feel the promptings from our hearts to give and receive. Giving and receiving cause a flow of substance in soul and body which out-picture in a person’s affairs.

17G LAW OF LOVE:

“Many who have found the law of true thinking and its effect wonder why supply does not come to them after months and years of holding thoughts of bounty. It is because they have not developed love. They have formed the right image in mind, but the magnet that draws the substance from the storehouse of Being has not been set into action.” (Talks on Truth 55)

The all-important presence of love is an essential in all spiritual demonstration. Without it, the possibility of failure is great. At the very least, disappointment comes even with success. Love should permeate all our human desires and efforts. Love should be part of all motivation and this must include the desire for prosperity. Selfishness tends to crowd out love, so it must be overcome. On the other hand, love crowds out nothing good, but simply “casts out all fear.”

17H LAW OF TITHING:

“TITHING—Giving a tenth of one’s supply to God and His work. Tithing is a tacit agreement that man is in partnership with God in the conduct of his finances. . .Tithing, which is based on a law that cannot fail, establishes method in giving. It brings into consciousness a sense of divine order that is manifested in one’s outer life and affairs as increased efficiency and greater prosperity. It is the surest way ever found to demonstrate plenty, for it is God’s own law and way of giving.” (Revealing Word/Tithing)

“By the act of tithing, men make God their partner in their financial transactions and thus keep the channel open from the source in the ideal to the manifestation in the realm of things. Whoever thinks that he is helping to keep God’s work going in the earth cannot help but believe that God will help him. This virtually makes God not only a silent partner but also active in producing capital from unseen and unknown sources, in opening up avenues for commercial gain, and in various other ways making the individual prosperous.” (Keep a True Lent 105)

Tithing is a very special kind of giving. It is in a class by itself. It is giving with the thought of God uppermost in mind. This is why tithing is always connected with something religious, usually a church or a religious organization. It is not the church which causes it to be a tithe, but the thought of God in the mind of the giver. Mr. Fillmore suggests that the thought of God as “partner” is a good one to adopt in tithing. Others may choose the thought of God as Source, or Increase, or unfailing Substance. But whatever form one may choose, it is the thought of God which constitutes the difference between tithing and just giving in general.

Transcribed by Phyllis Banhan on June 18, 2016.