GIVING

W. D. MC CRACKAN, M.A.

Among the manifold blessings brought by Christian Science is the right concept of giving. There is a science and art of giving, to be learned and applied, and they repose upon the understanding of substance as spiritual and not material.

The carnal mind, as Paul uses the term, or mortal mind, as Mrs. Eddy so aptly characterizes this belief of a mind opposed to God, believes matter to be substance. Mortal mind would induce mankind to accumulate and hoard matter under the impression that it is saving substance unto itself. Mortal mind would make mankind reluctant to part with its accumulations and savings, would persuade it to be chary about giving, under the pretense that substance, being material, must be limited in supply. Mortal mind fears that there is not enough substance to meet the needs of all; therefore it tries to force individuals to seize as much material wealth as possible and to hold it against all comers. Hence spring greed, miserliness, theft, robbery, and oppression.

Christian Science exposes the falsity of the belief that substance is material. The Scriptures tell us of "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," clearly indicating that true substance is "not seen," not physical in its nature, but metaphysical, or beyond-the-physical. Mrs. Eddy defines substance as "that which is eternal and incapable of discord and decay." She writes: "Spirit, the synonym of Mind, Soul, or God, is the only real substance" (Science and Health, p. 468). Matter itself is unsubstantial, because it has no basis nor permanence in real being.

True substance is Spirit, hence it is unlimited. Therefore this correct understanding of substance leads to generosity in giving. The true Christian Scientist has no fear of losing substance, no doubt that its supply is sufficient for all, and he can therefore resist the temptation to take from others lest he should not have enough himself. The Christian Scientist indeed learns that true progress is marked by outgrowing the belief in materiality, by putting off mortality in order that immortality may appear. He sees the unreasonableness of the fear of lack, the foolishness of piling up mere matter against a supposed day of want; the senselessness of trying to limit others, when all have an unlimited source from which to draw.

Those who understand true substance as explained by Christian Science, feel that they can afford to be generous. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us" (Ibid., p. 79). True giving resolves itself into the act of expressing or reflecting true substance,—Spirit, Life, Truth, Love. Unless the gift of material wealth be accompanied by spiritual understanding, it is of no real avail. So, also, a gift grudgingly given is no gift at all. Christian Scientists naturally welcome the opportunities for giving which proceed from the extension of their cause to all quarters of the globe. It is part of their necessary education to learn to give with the right mental concept. Right giving puts into practice what they have learned of the nature of substance, and permits them to demonstrate what they profess to know theoretically.

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