TRUE RICHES

LAURA CAREY CONANT

MANY professing Christians, praying daily that they may be of use in the world and God will show them how to work in His vineyard, how to be followers of the Master, confess that they do not know how to follow. They admit that they fail to bring joy to the sorrowful and despondent, that they are unable to lift the burden of fear from those around them, that they cannot alleviate suffering, that they feel utterly helpless in the presence of so-called incurable disease. Christian Science teaches us how to perform the "works" which Jesus declared should be done by those who really walk in his footsteps. It gives us the understanding of Truth so that we can heal the sick, cast out the devils, or evils, of sorrow, despondency, and fear, and with un faltering faith stand beside the couch of the hopeless sufferer and raise him to health and happiness. Christian Science brings to us peace and joy in place of unrest and discontent. It gives us an abiding sense of the presence of God in place of the barrenness of human life. It brings us health and harmony in place of disease and discord. It places our treasure in heaven instead of in the earth. It exalts our ambition.

Though the desire for happiness is universal, few possess it. Many think they would be happy if they only had greater success in gaining material possessions, in attaining social distinction, in winning worldly fame. In Christian Science one learns that happiness is spiritual, that it proceeds from goodness, and not from the abundance of material things which he may possess. Accompanying the desire for material riches often come thoughts which bring with them much unhappiness,—envy, discontent, selfishness, greed, and sometimes a dishonest thought,—the wish to get something for nothing, the willingness to profit at another's expense, also the unhappy and unchristian ambition to out-shine one's neighbors, the desire for precedence. In the writings of Paul we read. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;" again, "They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."

A man may think that because he has been able to lay aside a certain amount of money, that he has thereby made great gain, but what is gain? Paul teaches that "godliness with contentment is great gain." Then it would follow that true riches are mental, and only as we are growing in holiness are we gaining the riches which can never be taken from us. The world thinks that riches give power, but with clearer vision Mrs. Eddy declares. "The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable" (Science and Health, p. 192), and she urges us to have no ambition nor aim other than that of holiness,

The magnificent character, the beautiful life, and the spiritual teachings of our beloved Leader have brought out clearly these truths, that men are powerful only as they are good; that they are happy only as they are righteous; that they are rich only as they have spiritual understanding. The prayer, then, of the true Christian Scientist will ever be for growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and that he may be able to do good to his fellow-man through this knowledge.

The spiritual understanding of that which constitutes true riches, and the overcoming of the material sense of wealth, will enable Christian Scientists to destroy the claim of poverty. If we would overcome a sense of financial limitation we should examine our thoughts and the real desire of our hearts. We should be sure that our prayer is for greater spiritual growth, a sincere desire for the real substance, a longing for the true riches, and not a desire for more material possessions. Spiritual attainments call down blessings from heaven, and assurance is given that when. through goodness and spiritual understanding, we obtain power with God, our present needs will all be supplied. When our thoughts are made right, the outward manifestation will be a more harmonious environment.

The important thing, then, is to seek first, last, and always, "the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." The whole teaching of Christian Science is to direct thought away from the material to the spiritual. Dependence upon the material, and love for it, must fade out of human consciousness, and be replaced by love for spiritual realities. This is the only road to health, happiness, and to the consciousness of our heavenly Father's abundant supply; and those who follow this road will realize the promise of Isaiah: "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily."

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February 23, 1907

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