Article December 11, 1937 Issue

Balancing Accounts

EARL ALBERT RUSSELL

The balancing of accounts concerns humanity in all parts of the civilized world, in all walks of life. Economic endeavors have persisted from olden times and have resulted in many and varied theories and systems, some good and some of little or no value. Yet humanity has continued to have unbalanced budgets, deficiencies, and urgent wants and woes, because mankind, generally, has sought the solution of its problems through material means rather than through the purely spiritual method. Centuries ago, Christ Jesus gave the simple yet profound solution of all economic problems when he said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

A valuable lesson may be learned from the experience of Solomon, son of King David. When Solomon became king, he prayed to God, setting forth in humility and faith his own inability to meet the exigencies of the kingdom, concluding his prayer with the sincere imploration, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this they so great a people?" And wisdom, riches, and honor were added unto him because he had sought first the kingdom and guidance of God.

Solomon apparently recognized that both ability and possession come from God. Instead of listening to doubt and fear, he looked confidently and in absolute faith to God. Instead of entertaining a sense of inferiority and self-depreciation, he claimed his divine sonship, his heritage of God-directed intelligence. He turned from frailty to divine strength, from human ignorance to infinite wisdom. He vanquished weakness and immaturity by relying solely upon divine substantiality and potency.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Giving and Receiving, alias Sowing and Reaping