Article August 23, 1947 Issue

DURABLE INVESTMENTS

BETTY SCHWARTZ

"A Man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Thus Christ Jesus admonished his disciples (Luke 12:15); and then, as he often did, he brought home the lesson in a parable. "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully," we are told; and when he found that he did not have sufficient room to hoard all his produce, he said, "This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods." How tempting and seemingly simple to the material senses was this solution, to enjoy ease in matter! The rich man thought that with material substance stored up for many years he had only to "eat, drink, and he merry." But that night he perished, and the material treasures which he had provided for himself were left to another. "So," said Jesus, "is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Today much attention is focused on the subject of material security, including the making of sound investments. While this course is sensible, the accumulation of material possessions often brings a false sense of security, responsibility, worry, and fear of deflation and loss. Many individuals have come to lean too much on the belief that the hoarding of material possessions ensures their comfort and security, instead of seeking first the blessedness and stability of the kingdom of heaven by understanding and reflecting divine Mind, the source of all good.

Christ Jesus, the great Wayshower, consistently turned the thoughts of his listeners from the material to the spiritual, from possessions to Principle. In his immortal Sermon on the Mount he counseled his hearers (Matt, 6: 33), "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

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