Article July 12, 1930 Issue

On the Giving of Our First Fruits

LAURA BOWLBY MASSEY

NEOPHYTES in Christian Science often speak with admiration of the willingness with which the members of Christian Science churches contribute to the needs of the movement. For generations, suggestion has whispered to churchgoers that rent and household bills must be paid first because these represent services rendered, while contributions to the church are gifts. Christian Scientists, deeming the spiritual food received through their church services necessary and important, are willing and even eager to pay for this greatest of services, and they do not consider what they give as mere donations, but more as gratitude expressed.

The real Church is spiritual, and is spiritually sustained. In our present stage of unfoldment, however, we still need material structures, built and supported through consecration, love, intelligence, loyalty, and faith, expressed in generous giving. Of the transitory stage Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 442), "Christ, Truth, gives mortals temporary food and clothing until the material, transformed with the ideal, disappears, and man is clothed and fed spiritually." We can apply this pronouncement to the present necessity of supporting our churches, always recognizing that loyal support reflects the Christ, Truth.

The sublime spiritual endowments of Christ Jesus gave him the ability to use every circumstance for the glory of God. When he found himself in a desert place surrounded by a multitude that had followed him from the cities, seeking his teaching and healing, he used this opportunity to prove to them, in a manner that they could understand, the great fact that God's bounty is ever available to mankind. In multiplying the five loaves and two fishes, Jesus fed the multitude materially as well as spiritually, and through this improved belief brought them a step nearer to the understanding that God, good, amply supplies all needs. In view of this example, we, his humble followers in the truth he taught and demonstrated, can safely use this same method in sustaining our church.

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Unchanging Man
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