Article June 20, 1936 Issue

Giving Freely

GROVER C. FERGUSON

In the epistle of James we read, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." As God is the source and Giver of all good and perfect gifts, it is our duty as Christian Scientists to prove our divine heritage, as the "sons of God," in true giving. Of course, to be a giver of good we must first possess the essential desire to give. Whence does this desire come? Since God, the Father, is continually giving spiritual ideas to His children, it is clear that a desire on our part to give unselfishly comes from the one divine source. Besides, divine Love provides perpetual opportunity and ability to give of this good; and we prove this in proportion to our expressing or reflecting of God's infinite nature.

As man in God's image and likeness expresses His divine nature, it is evident that man is constantly about his "Father's business" in expressing and reflecting true qualities and ideas. When we understand our relationship to God, we have a keen desire to share our knowledge of this inexhaustible and abundant supply of goodness with our fellow men. So we become more alert in lending a helping hand, in giving to some needy one, in comforting the sorrowing, in reflecting healing thoughts to all with whom we come in contact, and in knowing that the law of Love, understood and applied, will heal all world problems.

The arguments of depression, wage reductions, investment losses, or any other beliefs of mortal mind, may try to prevent us from giving; but no matter how subtle these false arguments may be, we can always realize that the true and perfect gifts coming "down from the Father of lights" are ever at hand. And having glimpsed this true income we certainly have something to give. God's gift of spiritual ideas is the perfect gift, and is constantly available to all.

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