Article February 14, 1931 Issue

Paying Our Debts

FRED B. KERRICK

Paul recognized a certain obligation as resting upon each member of the human family, pertaining to the fulfillment of the sacred and inspired gospel as preached by Jesus the Christ. In the thirteenth chapter of Romans he accordingly admonishes his readers to "render therefore to all their dues," and adds, "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another." It is therefore quite apparent that "love," as preached by Paul in his healing ministry, is the chief debt we individually owe to others. According to the gospel of the Master it is also obvious that love is the fulfilling of God's law. Then, as the law of Love, or God's law, functions in our human affairs, even with regard to an honest desire to pay our just debts, we may anticipate without disappointment a complete and abundant manifestation of supply wherewith to meet our obligations through this divine process. This is the operation of the Golden Rule, of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. There have been far more failures in scientific debt-paying from lack of love than from lack of money. When we are aware that Love is ever present, and that, in this instance, money is the objectified expression of gratitude, we shall no longer find it difficult to pay our debts.

It is well to remember, too, that this debt of love is never a one-sided affair. There is never a debtor without a creditor. When two people come in contact with each other, whether the contact be of a social nature or a business transaction, the rendering of dues must be mutual. If the contact be a business transaction and credit is extended, the debtor should feel a deep sense of love for the confidence the creditor has placed in him respecting his honesty and uprightness. In like manner, the creditor should feel that same sense of love for the debtor's patronage, as well as for his confidence in the quality of his wares.

A striking illustration of the operation of this law of love and how it literally pays off one's creditors, is beautifully set forth in the story of the widow who became heavily involved with many debts, so much so that her creditor came to take her two sons to be bondmen, thus cutting off even that source of supply for her. Now, the widow knew of Elisha, the prophet, as being a man of God, expressing the qualities of Love. Her confidence was great in his ability to prove this law as sufficient to meet her debt; so in dire distress she turned to him for help, never doubting the divine power. Elisha, knowing that the law of Love could no more fail in its perpetual operation than could the Author of that law, turned immediately to the divine source of all good for aid. Recognizing the mesmerism of lack overshadowing the woman's thoughts, he saw her need as wholly spiritual; and, as a result, he asked her two questions, both of which were vitally important in making the demonstration. The first was, "What shall I do for thee?" It was necessary for the widow to acknowledge her just debts, humbly ask for the help she so much needed, and also to agree with Elisha that through the divine power her need could be met. The second question put forth by Elisha was, "What hast thou in the house?" There was only a small "pot of oil." Had the widow considered this oil of no value and said to Elisha that she did not have anything left in her house, that it was empty and she was entirely without resources, her demonstration of supply might not have been realized; but, on the contrary, she brought out all that she possessed—she withheld nothing. With honesty of purpose she produced her all.

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