Article May 22, 1954 Issue

PUTTING FIRST THINGS FIRST ACHIEVES SUCCESS

JAMES IRVING BURGESS

Every individual can achieve success. It is his sovereign right to expect the fulfillment of every worthy desire. It is his divine prerogative to experience the joyous completion of all good work he puts his hand to do, from the simplest task at home to a great life objective. But how is success achieved in human experience? How does one go about proving that the victory he seeks is in reality already an established fact?

Students of Christian Science find the solutions to their many human problems by searching the Bible and the inspired writings of their Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. They accept the spiritual truths contained in these books as their sufficient guide to health and success. They learn that success, individually and collectively, is the inevitable reward of persistent adherence to right thinking and acting, after the pattern set by the Master. They learn to evaluate thoughts and things accurately. With a growing spiritual sense of order established and operating in thought they practice with increasing success the basic rule for all human achievement—the practical Christian rule of putting first things first. The Master referred to this rule when he said (Matt. 6:31, 33): "Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The four Gospels show clearly that Jesus obeyed the orderly mandates of Principle. He did the important and needful things on every occasion. At the age of twelve, when his divine capabilities were recognized by the elders, he was found about his Father's business. Because of his inspired devotion to putting spiritual things first, he completed his stupendous assignment, and today is recognized by every Christian as the most successful man who ever lived.

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