"BECAUSE the demands for help today are numerous and insistent, and seem frequently out of proportion to the average income, many Christian Scientists are finding it increasingly necessary to make their giving in behalf of our beloved Cause a subject of scientific demonstration. It is comforting and reassuring to know that this can be done. To learn how to give scientifically is no less necessary than to learn how to heal scientifically. Both are included in progress. Generally speaking, Christian Scientists stand in need of much spiritual enlightenment regarding giving.

Thanks to our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, we have in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," a great axiom which, if we bind it on our hearts and establish it in our thinking, will free us from many of the limitations and restrictions that formerly fettered our giving, and enable us to give with a sense of liberality and love hitherto considered impossible. The statement reads (p. 79), "Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us."

A young student of Christian Science once eagerly desired to contribute generously towards a special collection which was to be taken the following Sunday in a branch church of which she had recently become a member. In order to ascertain how much might be given, an accounting was made of the amount available for living expenses for the next fortnight and of the amount available to meet these expenses. In the balancing of the two amounts it became unhappily apparent that the whole sum likely to be on hand would be required for the purpose of maintaining herself and that, consequently, there would be nothing left which could be contributed to this worthy object; and the student felt sorry indeed. To give what could be conveniently spared after all current expenses had been paid had thus far been the method of her giving, and so fully accepted as right was this custom that it did not occur to her that there might be another and even higher method of giving. Honesty, she knew, indicated meeting one's obligations promptly, and she felt herself intrinsically honest.

But that week in the quiet of her reading she came across the words quoted above: "Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us." Instantly thought was aroused. Over and over again she read these lines. She had no recollection of having seen them before. Here indeed was a new idea. In the dawn of its light she pondered, and soon a gleam began to break through her darkened sense. Then and there it was realized that this statement, having been placed in the Christian Science textbook by our Leader, was true and capable of being demonstrated and proved true; and she saw that she could give from what was on hand that coming Sunday and yet not be impoverished.

How thrilled became her thought with the joy of this conviction! No more hesitancy, no more fear or doubt! In the presence of this one ray of infinite Truth negative arguments vanished. She knew she was endeavoring to devote herself to God's service, and she knew, furthermore, that so definite a means as was provided in this opportunity to contribute to a collection, the proceeds of which were to be used to advance His Cause, was expressive of righteous activity. Spontaneously and trustingly, therefore, resting her confidence in this trenchant statement of our Leader, at the appointed time she gave. And great was her joy in the spiritual lesson learned when, not "after many days," but after a comparatively few days, the blessing of her giving returned to her. Yes, within the day of the giving did the return begin, and it continued in different and unexpected ways until more was received than had been given.

In the ensuing years an increasing sense of gratitude has unfolded as it has become more and more clearly recognized that the lesson learned through that experience has become an indispensable and strong staff which has supported and strengthened her giving and enabled her to enlarge her demonstration along the way.

God's laws are changeless. In the foregoing experience there was evidenced the operation of God's spiritual law both of giving and of receiving. When one gives in conformity with His law, this obedience becomes the foundation stone on which one receives in conformity with His law. But nowhere in the Bible is there revealed a spiritual law or a blessing for withholding. Only stagnation follows in the wake of withholding. In the inspired Word the demand for giving is associated with receiving. In Luke's Gospel are recorded Jesus' words: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

How well we know that the world argues the direct opposite of this rule! It constantly declares in many and divers ways that giving does impoverish and that through withholding and accumulating are one's possessions built up and enlarged. "Look out for yourself" is the slogan of the world; and the spiritual law of Love, declaring what and how to give, is little understood.

The student of Christian Science, therefore, needs to be alert to recognize and resist the suggestions of mortal mind which would lead him to withhold the giving that his heart prompts and divine Love directs, and thus deprive him of the rich blessing and spiritual growth which accrue from contributing generously and gratefully towards the maintenance and advancement of our great movement, a movement which is carrying, and is destined more widely to carry, a glorious message of healing and liberation from material bondage and limitations to the whole human race.