Article December 11, 1948 Issue

TRUE GIVING

LOIS GRIGGS MUNFORD

How often have we repeated and yet not really understood the words of Jesus quoted by Paul (Acts 20:35), "It is more blessed to give than to receive." In an effort toward unselfishness or righteousness we may have been endeavoring to follow this advice in our daily living. And yet, more often than not, we may have had to admit dissatisfaction and disappointment with what seems to be mediocre results. If such has been the case, a better understanding of the real meaning of giving is perhaps what is needed.

Giving, unfortunately, is often thought of as merely taking some form of good from oneself and passing it on to another. Having done this—willingly or reluctantly—one may try to find comfort in the words quoted above, faintly hoping, perhaps, that whatever has been given will later and in some form be restored or that generosity will have its reward. But in Christian Science we learn the true significance of giving—why one is blessed by it and why it is the very essence of life. It is because true giving is spiritual, the expression of God's love for His creation. And man, the reflection of God, must forever manifest this Love and its will to give, as he manifests God, Life. As the expression of Mind, man's every thought is imbued with the desire to give, for Mind is Love. To live, then, is to give. One cannot really exist without giving.

When one realizes the source of that which he has to give, he thereby opens the door to eternal abundance. Knowing that man forever reflects the abundance of the goodness of God, one can never feel reluctant or afraid to give, for he knows that man's wealth is unlimited, infinite, ever present. The child of God is always joyously giving forth, intelligence, productiveness, holiness, love, beauty, all the qualities of God, and because he has been divinely endowed with these attributes, he can never be deprived of the ability to express them. Neither can he be impoverished by expressing good, for his supply, which is always at hand, is incapable of being lost or exhausted. A clear understanding of this brings to light the true meaning of Mary Baker Eddy's words in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 79), "Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us."

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