Article March 22, 1924 Issue

Giving and Receiving

GEORGE H. READ

Christian Science is awakening the world to a realization of the close relationship which exists between thhe words "giving" and "receiving." It is proving in countless ways, and to nations as well as to individuals, that just as sowing precedes reaping, so should the thoughts of giving precede the desire of getting or receiving.

Is it any wonder, therefore, that Christian Scientists are gaining a bigger, better, and more practical understanding of the words of our Master, "It is more blessed to give than to receive"? They are not only discovering that they must learn to give generously, lovingly, and intelligently, if they wish to receive in the same manner, but also finding that the more they concern themselves with the thought of giving, the less they need to think about getting or receiving. They are finding that if they attend to the unselfish giving of whatsoever talents they possess, God will see to it that they receive whatsoever things they need. They are learning that it is man's obligation to give, and God's obligation to see that those who do give understandingly receive abundantly.

For many years the writer had thought of the words which Paul quoted Jesus as saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive," as applying only to money and material Possessions. That passage of Scripture nearly always seemed coupled, in his thoughts, with the world's usual concept of a philanthropist,—one who gives to the financially poor. He often longed for the time to come when his share of worldly goods would permit him to make generous donations to all so-called charitable institutions and to worthy persons who aroused his human sense of pity.

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