Article August 30, 1924 Issue

"Give, and it shall be given unto you"

FRANCES BAINES

Most of us come to Christian Science to get; and if we are humble enough to learn, we are taught how to give. Nay, rather, we learn that only in the measure we give do we receive! The Bible contains this instruction, but until the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, which is indeed a "key," came to open its treasures we were largely oblivious of this and many other admonitions, obedience to which means happiness and harmony in our lives.

Humanity needs to be taught how to give. The child turns to the loving parent for comfort, sympathy, rest, food, whatever is the need of the moment; and gradually the wise parent teaches it to share its gifts and treasures with others, to give as well as to get, to give a welcome to the visitor and a smile and a word of thanks to the stranger for perhaps some service rendered. We as "babes in Christ" come to the loving Father-Mother God for healing, comfort, supply; and as we grow into "the fulness of Christ," we learn to give, as instructed in the Scriptures, in our Leader's writings, by our periodicals, and by the faithful example of others. But, What can we give? it may be asked; for we may seem to have so little in the way of money, time, and talents.

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 5) our Leader refers to God as "giving all and man having all that God gives." On page 79 of Science and Health she also says, "Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us." And Jesus said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you." If we seem to have little to offer, we should at least give something, that we may begin to prove that we have already received from God. Then we shall become conscious of having more to give. What did the prophets of old, and later the disciples of Jesus, and yet later our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, give? They gave of that which all abundantly have in common. And they are our ensamples. Then should it not be the goal of every Christian Scientist thus to give?

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