Article February 11, 1933 Issue

"Say not ... to morrow"

ISRAEL PICKENS

In the third chapter of the book of Proverbs the wise ruler of Israel has written: "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee." A study of this passage in the light of Christian Science reveals a wealth of meaning. Spiritually interpreted, the admonition transcends the limited sense of giving or the mere sharing with one's neighbor a portion of some material possession. The good that we are counseled not to withhold is not necessarily to be considered in terms of matter or material substance. The author must surely have here referred, at least in part, to that which is spiritual, that which emanates from God and is unlimited in its power to sustain and bless.

To such good the Master, Christ Jesus, often referred. He indicated in language unmistakable that the good he did and embodied was not his personal possession, but was altogether the reflection or expression of his Father, God. "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." "I can of mine own self do nothing." Such were his words in disclaiming any thought of self-attainment or of power and goodness apart from God. The Master taught that all who understood his divine nature would be able to do the same works that he himself did. Thus when we see and recognize that God's infinite love and goodness are ours by reflection, and unlimited, we can claim as our birthright the same God-given power and love and goodness which Jesus always had and which he so wonderfully proved in his daily walk and life.

It is not infrequently the case that to one who is taking his first steps in Christian Science, or even to one in whom has unfolded to a considerable extent a spiritual understanding of the truth, there may come a sense of timidity which may suggest incompetence to give forth what one has learned of Christ, Truth, or to help another who may be reaching out for help. This may sometimes be evidenced in a fear of testifying at a Wednesday evening meeting; or it may cause one to refuse to work for another in Christian Science, arguing that he is unready for such work, or does not know enough to attempt to heal the sick or demonstrate the power of Truth in casting out a sin in another. Any such limitation is traceable to a lack of understanding as to one's true self as God's reflection. If the individual were expected to possess this power, this goodness and dominion, personally, he might well feel a sense of limitation. But to realize that it is Immanuel, "God with us," that doeth the works, opens the way for each one to share the infinite storehouse of good with his neighbor.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

"Say not ... to morrow"

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access