Article June 10, 1933 Issue

Manna for Today

MARIE DERL SCHREIER

DURING times of financial stress there seems to be a tendency on the part of mankind to cling to material possessions, to hoard money, and to hesitate to buy even needful things or to share with those in need. This receives a rebuke in these words from the Bible: "Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" Here the Psalmist acknowledges his trust in God and His goodness and mercy. Are not the riches of God greater than the wealth of any king or kingdom on earth? Can we conceive of any power greater than that of divine Mind? God is continually giving to man His spiritual ideas, and these ideas can never wear out or lose their value; they are real, tangible, and unlimited. One may have as many of them as he can use.

It is plain that those who put their trust in materiality sooner or later find that trust betrayed; and this is well, for men are never safe when resting on the false foundation of trust in matter. God gave the children of Israel manna in the wilderness, but they were told to gather no more than enough for each day's needs. Those who gathered much had nothing left, and those who gathered little had enough; but those who disobediently tried to hoard it for the future found it spoiled, for they had not trusted God fully, not realizing that He is always able to supply the needs of mankind.

Understanding that man is the offspring of Mind, we should know that God supplies our needs continually. Our Leader proved that; and on page 307 of "Miscellaneous Writings" she gives us this statement: "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment." It is certain that God gives us these spiritual ideas to use—to spend, as it were. Surely none of us would think it possible to hug to ourselves selfishly the ideas of kindness, joy, trust, love, or happiness. It is only as we spend them—share them with others—that we really have them; and so does our understanding of them increase. We cannot lose them in sharing; thus is our receptivity to them multiplied. Perhaps the sharing of these ideas may involve the spending of money or the giving away of some other material possession. If the motive behind the act is love, kindness, generosity, we need never fear the consequence.

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