Giving

Clifford P. Smith

"Freely ye have received, freely give." Although the Master delivered this precept directly to his first disciples (Matt. 10:5–8), it applies to all who have received his teaching. It applies, in different degrees, to all who have studied, earnestly and with open thought, the authentic record of his teaching. The conclusion is reasonable that the Bible (the New Testament particularly, but also the Old Testament by reference) contains the full gist, the substance, of what Christ Jesus taught to his immediate disciples—the twelve and the seventy. Every Christian, therefore, has received Christian teaching, and so is obligated to give in the measure of his receiving.

Necessarily, different individuals and different classes of Christians have received the Master's actual teaching to different extents. There are but few avowed Christians who have been neither aided nor hindered by denominational teaching. We Christian Scientists affirm and are convinced that we are in a comparatively favorable position to receive, because we regard Christian Science as the guide "into all truth" of which Christ Jesus said, "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:12–15). Hence, we acknowledge and appreciate that we have a corresponding duty to give.

As Christian Scientists we have a further advantage in that we have been taught how to receive; we have learned, or have been taught, how to acquire in order to give. We have learned to know man's relation to God—to "divine Principle; Spirit; Soul; incorporeal, unerring, immortal, and eternal Mind" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 588). We have learned to know the Principle and source of all that is good; and from the Giver of all good we have received a commitment of talents. Consequently, we must account for them in full; and every day is the day of reckoning.

As Christian Scientists, how can we give most freely? In particular, how can we give to all mankind? Every Christian Scientist has a duty "to God, to his Leader, and to mankind" (Church Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 6).

The primary human relation is that of each person to all others. This relation is much more important than is commonly seen, for its importance can be estimated justly only by persons who have a scientific knowledge of good, as distinguished utterly from evil, plus the disposition to love their neighbors as themselves.

All real being is good, and all good exists together as a whole. Infinite Mind is both all and one. Mind includes man as its conscious reflection. The real man, therefore, is entirely good; he is as pure as the divine Mind, in which he has his being.

In reality there is no evil; all is absolutely good. Evil is a self-assertive illusion; it is a seeming opposite to good. In the final analysis, evil is error or nothing, but it can be analyzed also as a fictitious mind consisting of all the evil thoughts seeming to be entertained by what are called human beings—consisting of all the error in the so-called human mind considered as a whole.

In this situation, each person can give to all others by the quality of his own thoughts. In a sense, as Paul said, "we are members one of another" (Eph. 4:25). Every person can love his neighbors as himself by keeping his consciousness so watchfully that he will contribute nothing to evil mortal mind, but will constantly help to extend the human reflection of good, of divine Mind. The following statement by Mrs. Eddy is true for every person and for all mankind: "Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love—the kingdom of heaven—reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear" (Science and Health, p. 248).

Christian Science healing also is a mode of giving to all mankind. The immediate beneficiaries are particular persons, but the benefits are not limited to them; the benefits are universal. Every case of Christian Science healing demonstrates the actuality of divine Principle, law, and power, and demonstrates the availability thereof to all mankind. Every case proves that the Christ is come and is here. Every case of Christian Science healing is a proof that this Science is true; and its truth is "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10).

One of our obligations, then, is to publish our good tidings to all people. Of course, we should adopt the most effective modes, especially the one which not only is informative and far-reaching, but also furnishes the means for careful study. Just now, there is a particular occasion to give for this purpose. Hence, we should take full advantage of the present opportunity to prove the Master's precept (Acts 20:35), "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Clifford P. Smith

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Honoring God and Man

April 23, 1932

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