True Riches

By G. S. H.

How clearly and unmistakably Peter brought out the sense of what constitutes true riches in the healing of the impotent man at the gate of the temple called Beautiful.

Men and women are looking to stocks and bonds, houses and lands, silver and gold as the evidences of wealth, and are struggling and contending, some filling their barns full, others falling behind in the race, as was evidently the case with the lame man who lay daily at the entrance to the temple asking alms.

Peter and John approach the temple at the hour of prayer. At the entrance we see this helpless cripple, lame from birth, a picture of poverty and wretchedness. He asks Peter and John for alms, Peter replies, "Look on us." and gaining from them the expectancy of some great good; feeling, no doubt, their thought of abundance, he gives heed, and in that giving heed he received more than all the wealth of the world could buy. How refreshing was the expression of Peter, how full of scorn for the material, how rich with a great Truth, when he said: "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." and the man "leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." Now this wealth that was so freely given by Peter is ours to-day. Christian Science has brought to the world the realization of an unfailing, inexhaustible fountain of riches, and the understanding that enables us to draw upon this fountain for every need and for every trouble.

In Peter's words to those who crowded around in wonder at the healing of the lame man, we see the clear leading toward this fountain of all good, toward God as the Healer. He said, "Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" Then in clear, unmistakable words he gave them to understand that it was faith or knowledge of the Truth as brought by Christ Jesus that had "given him this perfect soundness."

Christian Science is again unfolding the great truth that Jesus expounded. Jesus proved man's oneness with the Father, and we, through the understanding that comes from a study of the Bible and our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," grow into a fuller knowledge of Christ, have more "faith in his name," and see more clearly the unity of man and God. And we shall be able to reflect the riches of our inheritance to all mankind. As this great "love the father hath bestowed upon us" breaks upon our consciousness in all its fulness, we shall not only heal ourselves, but we shall speak to the sick, the poor, the lame, the downcast, words of authority such as Peter spoke, when he said to the impotent man, "rise and walk," and everywhere we shall see evidences of a new day dawning, rich with the promises of the power which God bestows upon them that receive Him.

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