Right giving

Charles Edwin Anderson

Christians understand that the pursuit of happiness consists quite as much in giving as in getting. But the question often arises as to how, what, and where to give in order that the gift may truly glorify the great Giver of all. What are the relation and the duty of the modern disciple of the Master in this respect to the vast intricate organism of the world as a whole? One thing is clear,—in order to exercise a healthful influence in a community, one must be free from ignorance and, what is still more important, from information that is perforated with lies or tainted with evil prejudice. This, as every Christian Scientist knows, is the raison d'etre of The Christian Science Monitor. But, as with every great truth, the bald fact is more fully appreciated and realized when viewed somewhat in its historical and spiritual significance. It is in a sense like the Indians whom Columbus took back with him from America to Spain. There they seemed strange, exotic, inexplicable creatures of a mystic realm; but in primitive America they were natural enough.

When Jesus came with his message to the people of Palestine, he did not present to them the Messiah whom most of them had expected. They had been looking for one who would cast off the Roman yoke and restore the Hebrew nation to glories surpassing even those of David and Solomon. Jesus came preaching the reign of God in the heart of the individual. He did not seek to overthrow the existing civil government or to set up one of his own, although with his understanding of the power of God he might easily have done so, as numerous examples throughout ancient and modern history bear ample witness,—because he knew that such a government, resting on the strength and wisdom of one person, could last but a day.

Christ Jesus perceived that government inheres in the individual and is build like a pyramid upon this bas. The Jews looked for the Messiah to establish in their nation the reign of God; but, like many other peoples before and since, they wanted and expected him to build the pyramid upside down. Our Saviour knew better. He saw that the reign of God must have its origin in the heart of the individual, who, then acting upon the divine will,—the impetus of Truth and Love—would reach the sincere hand of assistance to another. The recipient of this good would find the kingdom establishing itself within him so that he in turn would become the neighbor to still others, until every one would eventually be giving chief thought to the welfare of his fellows, performing momentary acts of kindness, unselfishly, as unto God. The more men thought about the nature of Love, and strove to practice it as the fundamental basis for expressing God’s will, the vaster would become the scale and the more far-reaching the effects of their unselfish thoughts and deeds, until finally the most genuine autocracy—that of God—would become one with the most genuine democracy,—that of true men.

Thus did the Master lay the foundations for the kingdom of God, even though the materially-minded citizens could not grasp the character of his work. Some of his disciples were to come close to the Father before leaving this earth, to know within themselves the reign of the great Spirit; but Jesus knew that in the world the leaven of Love would take generations, centuries, to permeate the whole. But although the children of the flesh, whether traceable to Abraham or to Ham, had no more claim to the heritage of Israel than the stones of the desert, yet to those offspring of the inspired faith of the great patriarchs, no matter whether their forefathers flourished in Rome or India, remained the promise of the kingdom of God, which was to be built on these foundations.

Time enough has passed since Jesus preached in Galilee for us to realize that no superficial form of government or set of institutions can effectually abolish tyranny or eradicate human misery. The world to-day shows signs of wakening to this fact; and it sometimes appears that the fulfillment of God’s promise to the children of Israel cannot be far distant, for did not He declare, “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear”? Nevertheless, the task still confronting His people is tremendous. They must tackle the great issues that the day brings forth, compelling each to assume its right proportions and true aspect.

In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” (p. 308) Mrs. Eddy has written, “God is the only Mind governing man.” Understanding this, the Christian Scientist goes forth prepared to help the world in his every thought and act. Seeing aright himself, he exerts an influence that is unerring; he votes wisely; he speaks sagely; he sends forth into the world thoughts of constructive vitality. He helps men to know, and do, and have the things that will give them the most genuine happiness, fulfilling the glory of the Father, shadowing forth the character of Truth and Love. The purpose and function of an honest, accurate, Christian-spirited international daily newspaper under these circumstances is obvious. It is an important channel, whereby not only Christian Scientists, but all who are striving after Christ, Truth, may come unto their own.

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