It is an interesting spiritual exercise to read them in sequence and discover how he taught the lesson of spiritual transformation through giving alms in secret. The key is to invest in others in secret , for this transforms the investor. Douglas inspired hundreds of thousands of people, through his books and movies, to take the lessons of Jesus seriously. But he knew the reluctance of church people to actually become involved with the Bible, and he led them to it by demonstrating that the way we live and give to others leads to the true biblical experience. Jesus taught that prayer is the master key to spiritual transformation, but prayer is more than words, or requests for things for the self.
True prayer is the response to the inner message.
When opportunities to reach out and invest in others appear, we have a choice to become involved or to ignore the divine response, assuming since it is not a direct answer to what we asked, there was no spiritual message. Until we invest in others, and involve our own financial resources, we do not complete the sacred circle of prayer. When we ask for guidance, it is important to listen carefully for directions and seek those who can use our assistance. Douglas points out that those in whom we invest will often have to know what we are doing, but should be cautioned not to tell others. We are not doing this to be seen by others, but to join in the living ministry of Jesus Christ.