CVC Fall Book Review 2013

1. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY: A SIMPLE GUIDE
TO ABUNDANCE BY EDWENE GAINES
A BOOK REVIEW
presented by
Prof. Myrtle M. Freeman
Cedar Valley College

2. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY
Law #1: Tithing and giving
Give 10% of all that you receive to the person,
place or institution where you get your spiritual
food
 This concept is consistent with biblical scriptures
 Ex: Malachi 3:10, Deuteronomy 14:28, etc.

3. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY
Law #2: Setting clear-cut goals
Set personal goals that are both clearly-defined and
tangible (e.g. practical and achievable)
Think about who you are as a person, and make a
deliberate intention (or personal commitment) to
achieve your goals

4. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY
Law #3: Forgiveness and worthiness
Forgive everyone all the time, especially yourself
Forgiveness empowers you to feel worthy
enough to live a prosperous life

5. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY
Law #4: Seek, discover, and follow your
divine
purpose
Assign importance and meaning to your life
Leads to personal strength, endurance and joy in
your everyday life

6. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY
What is prosperity?
Not simply . . .
a state of material well-being or “having lots of money”
(or being rich)
Prosperity consists of . . .
Physical health and vitality necessary/essential to
provide the material comforts of life

7. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY
Prosperity also consists of . . .
Healthy relationships that are honest, satisfying
and nurturing
Work (or vocation) that is second nature and one that
brings joy intrinsically (or in and of itself)
 In other words, prosperity is a multi-dimensional state
of existence (physically, emotionally and materially)

8. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY: BOOK’S VALUE
Offers practical advice on how to live a
“prosperous” (or meaningful) life
Presents a step-by-step guide to prosperity
Defines prosperity in a non-tradition way
Personal and inspiring
Based on true stories (of the author and those of her
family, friends and acquaintances)

9. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY
Appeals to Faith-believers
Discusses the concepts of tithing, forgiveness and
prosperity that may appeal to people of both Christian
and non-Christian faiths

10. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY: BOOK’S SHORTCOMING
The “Catch-22” Problem
Invites readers of all faiths to apply the four spiritual laws of
prosperity to their lives, but does not require them to believe in
them
This contradicts the Scriptures that see faith in God as necessary
for abundance and salvation
 Ex:
Galatians 3:26, James 2:20, Hebrews 11:1, etc.
(King James Version)

11. THE FOUR SPIRITUAL LAWS OF
PROSPERITY
The Scriptural Problem
Uses biblical principles to define the four spiritual laws, but
omits any mention of particular verses or passages from
the Bible
In brief, the four spiritual laws prosperity lack the divine
wisdom and relevance of the Word of God