Editorial December 5, 1908 Issue

HOW TO BECOME RICH

Annie M. Knott

In many of the testimonies given by Christian Scientists we find expressions of thankfulness for the overcoming of the sense of limitation and the incoming of a sense of supply from the infinite source of good. Oftentimes sickness is closely associated with the fear of poverty, even where actual want does not exist, and as Christian Science always deals with causation, the effects of fear and all false beliefs vanish before the truth of being. While it is true that the fear of poverty tends to induce poverty as well as sickness, there are other errors which must be recognized, and scientifically overcome by the action of Truth. A vital lesson on this point is to be found in our revered Leader's words: "In the figurative transmission from the divine thought to the human, diligence, promptness, and perseverance are likened to 'the cattle upon a thousand hills.' They carry the baggage of stern resolve, and keep pace with highest purpose" (Science and Health, p. 514).

These words from our text-book are ofttimes a needed rebuke when one is tempted to be indolent or careless in his activity, whether this activity be mental, physical, or spiritual. Of course, when we attain to real spiritual activity there can be no imperfection in it; but at present we have only begun to ascend from the low plane of material sense, and nothing less than constant watchfulness can save us from carrying along with us the errors which should be left behind when we begin to understand and reflect divine intelligence. If "order is heaven's first law," this should govern our thinking and doing, for without order we can have no real success in anything which we attempt. There should be "a place for everything, and everything in its place," not merely in our homes and workshops, but also in our mentality.

If our work is not what it should be, let us do what the psalmist did,—look up to the starry heavens which ever tell of law and order,—and let us ponder his words: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? ... Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet." If we are not expressing this dominion, is it not because we are not working as divine Mind works, in accord with law and order? Many are the foes (mortal beliefs) which would hinder our advance, and among them are pride and self-pity, errors which impoverish all who entertain them. These errors must be cast out before we can truly advance, and instead of envying others their possessions, we should strive each day to deserve better things than we at present have. It is always safe to exercise self-denial rather than self-indulgence on the material side, for this surely leads to expansion on the spiritual side, and thus riches gained.

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