Editorial December 6, 1947 Issue

WHAT SHALL I GIVE?

L. Ivimy Gwalter

At this season when custom bids mortals devote so much thought to gift giving and receiving, it were well to ponder earnestly the spiritual significance of true giving. Mere material giving is often nothing more than a gratification of sense—sometimes an indulgence, often a duty, and frequently simply an exchange accompanied by little in the way of love. Ritual, rivalry, and extravagance obscure real giving. That which focuses thought on the material is not love. Hatred of Truth is the root of materialism. Under the guise of bestowing charity, mortal mind holds its victim in bonds of poverty; under the guise of love, it manacles its object with fear; under the guise of piety, it worships matter. Whatever materializes thought leads not to Life but to death.

Then what is true giving? Everyone who has attained real greatness, everyone who has achieved lasting accomplishment, has been motivated by the desire to give. Not personal sense but divine Love underlies true giving. Unselfishness is a quality of Love, and whatever reflects Love reflects the power of Love. Within the limitlessness of its own infinitude. Love is forever pouring itself forth as Love. Neither timidity, inadequacy, suppression, nor withholding hinders the action of Love; no law restricts its beneficence; no power withstands its might.

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 518): "Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality—infinite Life, Truth, and Love." Love gives; it gives "to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness"! How does Love give? Love’s necessity is to forever express itself; without expression Love would not be. Therefore Love's being is Love's giving. Love constitutes its idea or expression, and idea, being the evidence of Love, is endowed with all the qualities of Love. The idea of Love from the infinitesimal to the infinite expresses Love; thus Love in constituting the idea gives to the idea might, immortality, goodness, health, and holiness. Love, by reason of its infinitude, is universal, and is forever reflected in love.

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