Love and Business

[Original article in German]

HANS HERZBERG

We are not accustomed to speak of love and business in the same breath. Deeper reflection, however, makes the combination comprehensible.

In I Corinthians 16:14 we read, "Let all that ye do be done in love." This command may at first seem inapplicable to the business man, for in the pressure of business affairs he is apt to believe he cannot waste any thought on love. Yet although he has many things to consider, and the demands on his time are great, the source and motive power of all right activity must be Love, which, as understood in Christian Science, alone ensures genuine prosperity.

If the business is to be profitable, continuous, steady, the worker must express attention, joy in his work, and tirelessness. From the highest to the humblest employee, and no less in the case of the head or owner of a business, are these desirable qualities in daily and hourly demand. But how is this mental impulsion of business to be constantly renewed? What can keep thought alert and guard it against weariness?

It is a right comprehension and understanding of "business"—whether it appears outwardly as a store, a factory, a workshop, an office, a farm, or otherwise. The comprehension and understanding of the true nature of business which Christian Science imparts brings constantly renewed inspiration and encouragement.

On page 128 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes of the operation of Christian Science in the business life. Under the marginal heading "Practical Science," she states that "business men and cultured scholars have found that Christian Science enhances their endurance and mental powers, enlarges their perception of character, gives them acuteness and comprehensiveness and an ability to exceed their ordinary capacity."

Christian Science, the sublime doctrine of the all-power of Spirit, God, the doctrine of Truth and of brotherly love, teaches us that the purpose of business is to serve our neighbor. It further shows us that every business is primarily the co-operation of thought-forces in the necessary assembling, processing, manufacturing, forwarding, and exchanging of products. If everything in a business is to work harmoniously, so that progress and expansion may be manifest, self-will must first of all be silenced. Obedience to one will, the will of God, is the divine command. Our activities are always successful when they are guided and controlled by God, the one Mind. The result is success and profitable work, abundance, regulated supply and demand.

Our work will always be unhindered and full of blessing if we let ourselves be guided and governed by God, infinite good. That is, if we keep in the forefront of our thinking conscious love for God and our neighbor.

In James's epistle there is the earnest admonition: "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. ... For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

We should always align our thoughts and motives with the divine will, the divine purpose, so that true concepts of business, progress, abundant opportunity and supply may unfold in our consciousness through our growing understanding of their divine origin. A business that is operated in this spirit of obedience to God will unfold and flourish, bringing welfare to all concerned.

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