Article August 4, 2014 Issue

Unafraid to share

Jane Keogh

Have you ever watched small children playing with toys? One sits happily playing, then another one comes along and wants to join in. How does the first child respond? Some are happy to share their toys, seeing why someone else would like to have them. These kids see the joy in sharing something someone else hasn’t yet experienced.

Sometimes sharing is far more profound. Mary Baker Eddy willingly shared what she had with everyone around her. She didn’t count sharing as a loss, and in explaining what she’d learned of God to others, she came to rely more and more on God’s provision. There’s a lesson there for us, too: We ought to examine whether sharing something with others is better for us than keeping it to ourselves!

As Mrs. Eddy very clearly states in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, “Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us” (p. 79). Christ Jesus preached and offered healing to strangers and friends. Hatred of the spiritual truth he shared led to his crucifixion; yet through the crucifixion he proved that Love conquers hate. Hatred’s ultimate aim was thwarted. The Christ still lives on. Jesus’ willingness to let go of a material sense of life allowed him to demonstrate eternal, spiritual Life.