In the realm of Spirit harmonious action is expressed by divine Mind, or intelligence. The presence and perfect action of ideas are natural in God's universe of Spirit.

In true economy there is neither withholding nor prodigal expending. A perfect equilibrium is maintained between receiving and giving. The incoming and the outgoing stand as demonstration of the perfect divine Principle that governs the universe and man, and thus there is perfect circulation.

The significance of this economy is felt in each human experience which patterns the divine standard. Those who have glimpsed the kingdom of heaven know that the spiritual economy of being exists in the Mind which is God, and that this economy is based upon the laws of God and can be proved through their practical application.

The result of understanding the laws of God is to experience a free and healthy economy in human affairs, whether of the body, the business, the home, or the nation. How important then to study the subject of God's economy, for by so doing we shall not need to try out an economic system which stems from fallible human reason or belief.

In considering the question of true economy we find it based on the two great commandments to which Jesus drew especial attention. The first one is our duty to God and the second our duty to our neighbor.

These laws, or commandments, must be faithfully observed, for they are the basis of every sound economic system. To disregard them is fatal to success. An economy, for instance, that attempts to benefit one while it injures another would break the second great commandment, which insists on man's responsibility to man.

In the true economy spiritual liberty is respected and individualism retained. The motive power behind sound economy is love for God and man. With this motive in action success is assured.

An illustration of spiritual economy may be cited by relating an incident concerning a Christian Scientist of slender means who had saved enough money to buy herself a pair of new shoes. At the moment she was about to set out to make the purchase an indigent neighbor called with a sick child, asking if she could lend her a small sum of money to meet her immediate needs. The Scientist, moved with compassion, at once gave her neighbor the money she had saved for the shoes. Gratitude was expressed on both sides, and the friends parted.

Within an hour a knock came at the door, and another neighbor, more prosperous than the first and unaware of what had occurred, called to offer a gift of a pair of beautiful shoes that she thought might be useful to the Scientist.

This little incident illustrates the use of the spiritual currency of Love to which Mary Baker Eddy refers in an address recorded on pages 170 and 171 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany." In this address she includes these words from the Psalms: "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed."

The visit of the neighbor with the gift of new shoes was not a coincidence. The Scientist had expressed trust in God and compassion for her neighbor and in so doing fulfilled the basic need of economy, namely, obedience to the two great commandments. Thus she linked up her understanding with the laws of divine Love, in which is found God's natural affluence.

Mrs. Eddy writes in "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." The free flow of the currents of Truth and Love is a currency which will feed multitudes.

Jesus fed five thousand in the wilderness by means of the spiritual currency of Love. There was nothing mysterious in the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. He knew the source of all supply to be God, or good, and his spiritual understanding of the affluence of God, coupled with his compassion for the hungry people, multiplied the meager supply of bread and fish provided by his disciples.

If individuals and nations understood this way of true economy, there would be no need for elaborate intellectual systems. No necessity would exist for restrictive tariffs, frozen credits, trade barriers, or suspended buying to balance accounts. All these provisions result from materialistic thinking. They stem from a lack of understanding of God and neglect of His laws.

The businessman who is a student of Christian Science, when planning an advertising campaign, should do so under the guidance of the two great commandments. For instance, he will make sure he honestly states the quality and condition of his merchandise. He will not use exaggerated language in his advertising, or be unreasonable in his charges or sharp in his business practices. He will not fear, but rather welcome, healthy competition by regarding it as an incentive to maintain a high standard of excellence. He will use wisdom in his buying and liberality in his dealings.

This simple and successful economy does not require elaborate statistics to bolster it. God directs right motives and endeavors and ensures their success. Economic systems, whether concerned with the household, the business, or the nation, require trust in God and the exercise of good.

"Freely ye have received, freely give," said the Master (Matt. 10:8). Those who recognize the affluence of God express this affluence in spiritual ideas, such as trust, love, wisdom, generosity, and justice. They will find their resources continually renewed by this understanding, and thus they will be enabled to share with others that love currency which increases with use because it is spiritual and is the coin that bears God's superscription.

Robert Ellis Key