Editorial October 11, 1941 Issue

"Give, and it shall be given unto you"

Evelyn F. Heywood

In the Sermon on the Mount, as set forth by Luke, Jesus climaxed his teaching in one short sentence: "Give, and it shall be given unto you." On page 112 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy has defined God as "the great Giver."

The life of the Master was exemplified in giving. There is no occasion recorded where he was found seeking something for himself, working for even temporary advantage, satisfaction, or triumph. The words "give" and "giving" were continually on his lips either in connection with that which his Father had given him or with that which he was giving to humanity. We can say in very truth that his understanding of divine Love inspired both that which he received and that which he gave. Because he knew both were infinite, there was no lack of receiving, no thought of withholding. Why should anyone who is completely assured of infinite receiving be afraid of giving in equal ratio? To Jesus and his disciples, his judgment, his joy, his life, his consciousness of power—everything he possessed—were the gift of God. Thus he could finally say, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." "Wholly apart from this mortal dream, this illusion and delusion of sense, Christian Science comes to reveal man as God's image, His idea, coexistent with Him—God giving all and man having all the God gives," Mrs. Eddy has written on page 5 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany."

Giving is looked upon by many as a virtue; by others as a luxury, and not infrequently, where it is not more seriously abused, as a necessity, the result of an uneasy conscience or fear of public opinion. Until giving is seen as an attribute of the divine nature, without which no thought or action, no relationship with another, is truly expressed, the lesson of the Christ as applied to all human affairs has not been learned. To know that God is already giving all, is the first step in our spiritual apprehension of giving.

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