Build the economy on Truth

Major Western nations continue to seek solutions to the financial challenges in their individual economies as well as within the larger structure of the Eurozone. These and other conditions are having a global effect on the world’s economies, including the United States and China. Various solutions, including austerity, have been offered by individual thinkers and governments. Yet human solutions can only go so far. What works in one place may be disastrous in another, or may fail to address the underlying instabilities that led to the economic crisis in the first place.

The answer to these challenges rests on spiritual truth that has been proved over the centuries and is still potent today. Mary Baker Eddy stated it this way, “Trust in Truth, and have no other trusts” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 171 ). To trust solely in money, politics, or financial analysis is to build on sand, which—as Christ Jesus pointed out centuries ago—is not a sound foundation. 

Jesus knew that divine Love could not be absent, and that Love was already supplying the need.

Permanent and inspired solutions are possible through prayer that recognizes the real economy, which is spiritual and stands solidly on the rock of Christ—the living proof of God’s love for man. 

This is not as abstract as it seems. As economies have become more driven by consumption and have become more dependent on material forces, the goodness and mercy of God may appear to be absent. God’s mercy is still here, however, and it’s right to claim that merciful guidance through the crisis.

While Christ Jesus wasn’t afraid to rebuke sin when it was needed, his ministry was full of mercy, shown as compassionate healing and also compassionate feeding. With five loaves and two fish, he fed 5,000 people, not as a way to show off his power, but out of love for them (see Matthew 14:14–21 ). His disciples said he should just dismiss the hungry people and let them find their own food, but the Master was confident that there was a solution right at hand. Jesus knew that divine Love could not be absent, and that Love was already supplying the need. 

When one of the disciples brought to him a boy with five loaves and two fish, he accepted this as the solution, despite what a material view of the situation might have argued. If Jesus had been motivated by fear, it’s unlikely that he would have even considered such a small supply. But the Master didn’t see things in finite terms. Instead, he accepted divine Love’s abundant provision for these hungry people. His vision was so clear and pure that what he saw came to pass. The Bible says that all were fed and were satisfied.

In these times, too, the Christ-spirit is still with us, still bringing to light the supplies of good that God is continually showering on us. Our prayers can support humanity’s right to hear the Christ-message, which will guide each of us—and the world’s economies—to Truth’s government, which will reveal answers we all can trust.