You and I may not understand all of the intricate factors that contribute to inflation or the economic policies used to combat it. What we do understand is that when we go to the store, our dollar or yen or pound doesn't buy as much for us as it did a few years ago—or even a few months ago.

Is there an effective defense—a hedge—against this chronic economic ill? It may be some time before society as a whole is willing to take the necessary steps to control inflation, but there is something we can individually do. We can develop a quality that will give us a measure of protection against inflation. That quality is modesty.

To the millions of people striving for increased income, willing to pay whatever the increased cost of goods might be— always emphasizing more—"modesty" may seem like a strange term. Even irrelevant. But might not our views of what a materialistic existence has to offer be inflated? Might we be exaggerating our worth and ability as mortals? Wouldn't a more moderate estimate of material values and activities provide a more balanced perspective? It may well be that we need to deflate the worth too often accorded the material aspects of our lives.

But how much can a more modest attitude really accomplish? Mary Baker Eddy didn't limit the potential of modesty. Linking it with affection, she saw it would accomplish far more than coping with an economic problem. "I am persuaded that only by the modesty and distinguishing affection illustrated in Jesus' career, can Christian Scientists aid the establishment of Christ's kingdom on the earth," ^{Retrospection and Introspection, p. 94;} she writes.

Jesus was free from the extravagance of materialism. Still, he had all he needed. His life was a model of modesty, and yet spiritual richness and abundance characterized his life. Christ Jesus understood man's relationship to God. He perceived that man's true being is a manifestation of Spirit's affluence rather than a victim of the limitations of a mortal existence. And most important, Jesus realized that man's spiritual identity is a fact right now. He proved that as we admit and understand our perfection as God's child, limitations begin to drop away—even those limitations the whole world accepts as inevitable.

The richer our consciousness of spirituality, the more modest will be our estimate of materialism. Some readers may feel, "Listen, the living standard for our family is so modest already that a better word for it would be 'poverty'!"

But we're not talking here about how many material goods we own. We're talking about an attitude toward materiality—an estimate of what life is all about. The world's expectations from materiality are bloated. While some people suffer lack, others suffer overindulgence. In either case the expectations are swollen and need to be deflated.

The important factor is not so much what we do or do not have materially; it is our willingness to challenge our own and, perhaps more important, the world's lack of modesty—its pretentious materialism. Regardless of what our present standard of living may be, it could be helpful for all of us to take a close look at our lives. Do we see areas where we might revise our estimate of what constitutes abundance and worth?

We should feel led to expand our consciousness of spirituality and moderate our expectations of what mortal existence has to offer. There are vital tools at hand: the Bible, Mrs. Eddy's writings, the Christian Science periodicals. We can begin withdrawing from the general assumption that man is a mortal—financially limited and subject to economic factors difficult to control. Man is immortal. His true status is the expression of infinite Spirit. His activity of being is unconfined because true consciousness has no restrictions. These are powerful facts of reality. As grand as these truths are, our claims of how much we've proved should themselves be modest. Our lives, rather than our words, will most effectively convey what we have learned. Mrs. Eddy counsels, "The honest student of Christian Science is modest in his claims and conscientious in duty, waiting and working to mature what he has been taught." ^{No and Yes, p. 2.}

A more consistent modesty in every aspect of our lives will moderate the tendency to inflate estimates of materialism. The effect of this change in emphasis is to remove excessive dependence on materiality and yet provide for those whose legitimate needs are not being met. But a more modest attitude must come as the result of an expanding expression of spirituality. While some may find the simple virtues of modesty in dress and behavior appealing, something much more fundamental is needed. We need the whole paring down of extravagant materialistic ideals and actions. This inevitably happens as individual spiritual understanding develops.

In the final analysis the problem of inflation is going to be resolved by the individual. Inflation will recede as individual attitudes change. Those who have enough spiritual perception to see the value of a more modest approach to human existence and an expansion of spirituality in their lives are developing the most effective hedge available against inflation.

Nathan A. Talbot