Editorial October 13, 1917 Issue

Economy

William P. McKenzie

In theology the word economy is used to mean a dispensation or distinct era under divine government. For example, what is termed the legal era of divine economy is that period which follows the giving of the law to the Hebrew people wherein their national prophets were interpreters. Following that came the postlegal era, when national bounds were transcended because by the appearing of the Christ a universal kingdom began, and "the law and the prophets" were superseded by the demonstration which fulfilled both law and prophecy. With the discovery of Christian Science there came a new era, distinguished by renewed demonstration of the reality of good, concerning which Mrs. Eddy says: "To the physical senses, the strict demands of Christian Science seem peremptory; but mortals are hastening to learn that Life is God, good, and that evil has in reality neither place nor power in the human or the divine economy" (Science and Health, p. 327).

This use of the word economy to indicate the regulation of human affairs by the divine government might very well be regarded more thoughtfully. In the ordinary way of thinking the word economy has unpleasant sound and meaning to the man who wrongly thinks that if he must economize he will then be defrauded of legitimate good in some way, and for that reason does not open his life to the benefit of bringing his affairs into true order. The original meaning of the word economy is literally and exactly household management. This implies the procuring of needed supplies and making payment therefor duly, so that the word early connected itself with disbursements. Not the wise and liberal spender, but the penurious one, came in time to be accounted economical, when in truth the penurious standard was an entirely wrong one.

In our Manual (Article XXIV, Sect. 5) this guidance is given: "God requires wisdom, economy, and brotherly love to characterize all the proceedings of the members of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist." Allowing ourselves to be taught the meaning of words by Mrs. Eddy, we first learn that economy is associated with wisdom and brotherly love. It may then be readily seen that the motive, measure, and method usually implied cannot be correct. When his motive is fear, the measure money, and the method limitation, the would-be economical person does not find joy in his household management. If one makes money the measure of economies it usually leads to losses, since money itself as a standard is by no means inflexible, like the bronze standard of length fixed in solid stone whereby drapers may test their yardsticks. Money as a measure of value is changeable and unreliable; a better measure is use. The wise householder must determine what is needed for use, and the fulfillment of actual use and service determines the value of what is paid for.

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