Whether it be a small home or a large establishment, a shop or a factory, a school or a church, there is work to be done; there are jobs to be filled, problems to be solved, and challenges to be met. Whether our part seems great or small, important or insignificant, we fill an office. Our attitude toward the office will determine how we fill it, what it does for us, and what our work accomplishes for others.

Viewed in this light, employment is more than merely a means of earning a living. It is an opportunity to express qualities, to exercise skills or talents. Our attitude or viewpoint will determine whether we approach the day's activities with a smile or a frown.

The qualities we are to express, the skills or talents we are to exercise, what is their source? To whom do they belong?

Recounting how willingly the people offered their services in preparing to build the temple, David declared (I Chron. 29:14), "Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee."

As Christian Scientists, each one of us is engaged in the task of building—building a society. As it is built upon a spiritual basis, it will stand.

The qualities that make up this society are spiritual in nature, as are the talents and skills we utilize. They have God, Spirit, as their source. As Mrs. Eddy states in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 232), "Human skill but foreshadows what is next to appear as its divine origin."

When we do our work from the standpoint of utilizing to His glory what we have received of God, any sense of drudgery ceases. As we direct our efforts to serving God, our service to men is appreciated and our efforts adequately rewarded.

How can we be sure of this? By recognizing that we are being employed primarily by divine Principle, which is impersonal, impartial, just, and merciful. When we place Principle where person seems to be, we remove from our thought a finite, limited sense of employment and all that goes with it.

Christ Jesus gave to the world an enduring example of one who was in no doubt about the purpose of his life. When only twelve years of age, he spoke of being about his Father's business (see Luke 2:49). What he meant by this is made clear as we observe that in everything he did he glorified his Father, God. This was evident in his healing the sick and saving the sinner through purely spiritual means.

At one time Jesus declared (Luke 16:10), "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Then he continued, "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"

The Master was no doubt drawing the attention of his listeners to the fact that unless one is faithful in the ordinary things of daily life, he is not prepared for spiritual advancement. But when one's devotion is to God, one's endeavors take on a higher significance. This rule applies to everything he does. If he fails to do the best he can in what he is presently doing, he is unjust not only to the work but to himself as well.

If we are confronted in our work with a difficult situation— a sense of injustice, of disturbed human relationships, or the like— and we stand before it with a right sense of the supreme government of divine Principle, one of two things will happen: either the situation will change for the better, or we shall be lifted out of it. Christian Scientists have so often seen this work out to the benefit of all concerned that they are encouraged to approach difficult situations with confidence.

Under the government of Principle, what one gives invariably determines what he receives. The more valuable he can make his efforts to others, the more valuable will these efforts be to him. These are more than sound sayings; they indicate a law that operates in one's behalf as one understands and fulfills it.

Christian Science enables us to prove that the more spiritually minded we are, the more discerning we shall be in whatever we do. We shall be able to discriminate more clearly between what is of value and what is not. The more spiritually adequate we are, the greater will be our capacities, the keener our perception of facts, the sounder our judgment, and the more accurate our analysis. Every advancing spiritual footstep is a departure from limitation and mediocrity.

Our relationship to others is improved as we appreciate and rejoice in their accomplishments. The rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matt. 7:12), is forever golden. Fulfilling our obligations as though responding to the demand of Principle makes us respected employees and trusted employers. It leads to greater opportunities and more genuine satisfaction in everything we do.

Ralph E. Wagers