Great bounty!
For the lesson titled "Substance" from March 5-11, 2012
True substance is spiritual, unlimited, permanent—having thought, not matter, as its foundation. Science and Health explains, “God’s thoughts are perfect and eternal, are substance and Life” (p. 286, cit. 4). This Lesson identifies various facets of thought as substance—for example, as the substance of bones (Section III), of strength (Sect. IV), and of eyes (Sect. V)—thus spiritualizing our understanding of our health, our resources, and our faculties.
As we are blessed with God’s bountifulness, we naturally want to share it with others. Matthew 10:8 commissions, “Freely ye have received, freely give” (cit. 23). Two stories about widows in the Lesson deepen our insights into giving and receiving. In Bible times widows usually typified poverty, not bounty, so these examples are especially illuminating.
The spiritual nature of substance supports us, heals us, and satisfies us.
The first story illustrates how we can open our thought to God’s abundance even when the feeling of lack seems overwhelming. A widow and her two sons were in desperate straits, owing a lot of money to a creditor (see II Kings 4:1–7, cit. 6). Because her husband had served God, the woman had a glimmer of hope that Elisha the prophet could help her. But Elisha encouraged her to look within her own resources for the solution. The widow responded from a standpoint of limitation, “Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” But right there was her answer! Science and Health defines oil as “consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration” (p. 592, cit. 6). These are qualities of substance, and they are limitless. Interestingly, Elisha provided the widow with the substance of an idea, but she and her sons did all the work. Obeying Elisha’s instructions, they borrowed as many vessels as possible. Then, before their very eyes, abundance poured forth and multiplied. The widow eagerly filled the vessels with the unending supply of oil that was then sold, and they were saved. Freely she had received!
The other widow freely gave. The story in Section VI (Mark 12:41–44, cit. 21) opens with Jesus sitting nearby and watching people as they contributed to the treasury. He observed the rich putting in quite a lot. But then came the poor widow who “of her want did cast in all that she had.” Jesus commended her action, noting that “this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all” (The Message).
What about us? Do we only give what we’ll never miss? The Bible cautions, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (II Corinthians 9:6, cit. 5). And Science and Health points out, “Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us” (p. 79, cit. 27). Since we have bountiful substance, generosity should be our joy, “for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7, cit. 24).
The spiritual nature of substance supports us, heals us, and satisfies us. This bounty is a benediction to carry with us: “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).
