Article January 3, 1914 ISSUE

"Such as I have give I thee"

JESSE GHENT WAITE

Peter said to the lame man who was waiting for alms at the "Beautiful" gate of the temple, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee," and then he healed him in the name of Christ. It is a great and glorious privilege to give, yea, "more blessed to give than to receive." Indeed, to give such as one has, is the only true way to receive. First, one must give up to its native nothingness the old Adam belief, that he may attain unto the new man. This is our great task, as it is our great gain, for it brings unspeakable joy, and peace flowing as a river and watering the desert where selfishness once reigned. This, however, is only the beginning of unnumbered gains. It is but preliminary to that Science which is the divine law of being. God gives all-harmonious life to every man in Christ.

Christian Science reveals the divine order in which life abounds unto more life continually, even as Christ Jesus said,

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." How many thousands are there today doing just what Peter and John did for the impotent man who was "laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms"? Poor? Yes, as the world counts poverty, they were poor, yet rich, and making many rich by a process that is to some a stumbling-block, while to others it is foolishness; but to them that believe (understand) it is the Science of giving such as one has, the Science of the wisdom, the compassion, and the power of God, revealed anew today through Mrs. Eddy's inspired teachings, with "signs following."

Christian Science teaches that there is but one Mind, one source of spiritual truth through which life and harmonious being is guaranteed to every man, from the least to the greatest, and this is seen as we come to understand the Science of life or being. This understanding makes both possible and practicable any task, even to the reversal of the whole system of material belief with all its discords.

The apostle Paul alludes to the fact that as some of the stars are more glorious than the others, so it is in the spiritual realm. There is no room for jealousy here, for the law of giving all that one has to those who are needy, not only supplies every human need, but actually perpetuates itself. It may be that our present beginnings seem small, because our understanding is small; but we need not despise "the day of small things." It is through practise, the use of what we have and the giving of such as we have, that we gain more understanding and give more, and thus gain more to give more, and so on continually. Such is our life, ever and ever abounding, because such is ever-abounding Truth and Love. Referring to the supply of manna, it is written, "He that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack." Why? Because of the rule of giving freely, of such as each one has, unto whomsoever will receive it.

Reflecting on the infinite possibilities revealed through the writings of our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, it is easily seen how it is that "divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494 ). Of course, self-denial is involved in giving all that one has, but what a blessed consciousness comes to take the place of the old self! How unspeakable the sense of love gained by those who are thus at one with him who said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Commands and Blessings
January 3, 1914
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit