Article May 22, 1920 Issue

"The root of all evil"

VIVIAN W. WHITMAN

Most students of what is termed human nature soon arrive at the conclusion of Paul, who states, in I Timothy, that "the love of money is the root of all evil." Paul did not err, as might a more superficial reasoner, and charge that money, in itself only a convenient symbol for service, is the source of evil; he goes straight to the point and makes plain that the evil lies in the love of money. This root of all evil is among the plants which our heavenly Father has not planted, and which must be uprooted wherever found. Where its purpose is suited, this vice can assume the cloak of virtue, and pose with much sanctimony as thrift. It seeks to defraud under the innocent title of business acumen, and often deludes its victim into living for years in the midst of poverty and discomfort, with the idea of "laying up for a rainy day," whereas a rainy day, if inevitable, might be preferable to years of murky fog.

Workers in Christian Science find this root of evil seeking to obstruct the line of every activity. It is interesting, for example, to note the various excuses accepted by prosperous Christian Scientists as good and sufficient to exempt one from subscribing to all the Christian Science periodicals. The observer marvels to trace this tiny root through its peculiar and often amusing evolutions. No one else, perhaps, has quite the same view of the root in all its bald ugliness as has the practitioner. On coming to Christian Science for healing, the first question a person sometimes asks is, "Why should a practitioner be paid?" The beginner is, as he supposes, quite properly shocked that one should accept money for a prayer. For generations, people have, often reluctantly, paid the family doctor, and, still more hesitatingly, produced the price of material existence for the minister. The Christian Science practitioner, occupying in part the place of both, may thus seem in the position to receive the force of a double reluctance to exchange carnal gifts for spiritual, as Paul phrases it.

Why should any one be paid for work? Jeremiah tells us, "Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work." Most people will admit that work should be paid for, but some are inclined to differ with the worker as to what constitutes work. The farmer will admit that plowing is work and should be well rewarded, but to him an editor is an idler who accepts his hard earned dollars merely for sitting in a swivel chair and writing a little at convenient times. On the other hand, the editor knows the full value of mental work, but may be rather inclined to think plowing a pleasant form of outdoor exercise, and not worth much of any one's money. Both editor and farmer, if they decide to "try" Christian Science, are very likely to agree that it is "unchristian" for the practitioner to accept pay. Is not he or she doing God's work? Assuredly. All good work is God's work, and as such is rewarded. Since God is just, and does reward all good work, the honest worker has nothing to lose; but the beneficiary of the work has much to lose in failing to manifest practical gratitude for the work done. Honesty which goes deeper than policy is never content to accept the time and effort of another without making an equitable return.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

"The root of all evil"

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access