Gift and Giver
"THERE came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. . . . And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts," we read in the second chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew.
The world had long waited for the coming of the prophet and king who should lead his people into all peace. Is it any wonder that when the news of the birth of the child, Jesus, was heralded, the Wisemen should travel from far to behold him and pour out at his feet their rich gifts, tokens of love and adoration? We too rejoice with the sages of old, and our hearts are filled with profound gratitude to God for the blessings that so enrich our lives, and especially for the gift of His Son, our Way-shower, who has brought to us the light of Truth. His coming means to each one of us more than words can tell; and we humbly bow before him, bringing our love, sacrifice, and service—enduring gifts, which are more acceptable to our Father than any merely material offering. The gifts that please God are consecrated devotion to the Christ-ideal, selfless love and consideration for our brothers, and faithfulness to the Cause of His kingdom.
We may not be rich in what the world calls wealth, but we all have something to give. What is most needed is not so much material things, but our right thinking, our spiritual cooperation, our joyous response to every call of mankind. Like Peter we may say, "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." What greater satisfaction can there be than helpfully to meet the immediate need of those who touch our lives?
Our supply of good is bountiful because God is infinite, and man, His image and likeness, has all right ideas now. All that the Father has is ours by reflection—a rich inheritance, indeed; for to reflect God is to have all things. Let us not give grudgingly, or of necessity, but freely and largely of our abundance. No sacrifice should be too great to make, if we would follow the Christ-example. The world is weary waiting for the "balm in Gilead," for even a word of encouragement that will help it to meet life each day with a song. The one who withholds, who counts the cost, who has a limited sense of supply and gives sparingly, is never enriched spiritually; but he who bestows his gifts cheerfully, and is grateful to the Giver of all good for the opportunity of giving, finds that his barrel of meal wastes not, neither does his cruse of oil fail.
Perhaps we have a false sense of substance, and like the rich young man mentioned in the Scriptures are selfishly hoarding our possessions and building even greater barns to hold them. The Master's injunction to him was to sell all that he had and give to the poor, if he would have treasure in heaven. Real substance is wealth of spiritual ideas; and as we realize this, our seeming material needs are met, and we have enough and to spare. Man lacks nothing; and there is no reason why we should not make our possessions active. It is helpful occasionally to take account of them, to see just what they are. If we are accumulating spiritual ideas for growth in grace, all is well; but if we are only adding to our material baggage in our journey from sense to Soul, let us at once rid ouselves of all that would impede our progress heavenward.
We need a right sense of values. So much of our thought and time is given to getting things of little worth, rather than to giving of the good we possess! Hoarding with a limited sense is not in accord with the teaching of Christian Science; but sharing with others our blessings receives directly divine benediction. Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 301): "As God is substance and man is the divine image and likeness, man should wish for, and in reality has, only the substance of good, the substance of Spirit, not matter. The belief that man has any other substance, or mind, is not spiritual and breaks the First Commandment, Thou shalt have one God, one Mind."
We are reminded of the poor widow who cast into the treasury her two mites—"all her living"—and the loving word of commendation of the Master: "This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance." How humbly and gladly she gave even in her penury, but not to be seen of men! And she richly received the reward promised to those who give in meekness and sincerity.
The stupendous gift to the world of Christian Science, the discovery of Mary Baker Eddy, reveals the scientific law operating for the good of mankind, healing sin, sickness, sorrow, and every form of lack. Through spiritual understanding of the Bible, which the study of Christian Science gives, thousands to-day are rejoicing in a large measure of good, and are living lives of consecrated endeavor to know and do the will of God, seeking the kingdom of heaven first. It is our blessed privilege to contribute of our affluence to all the activities of this Cause. If we cannot make large monetary gifts, we can support the work by our loving cooperation, prayer, and right thinking, with no thought of destructive criticism. Let us take an active interest in sending abroad only the good thought and word, which always heal.
The test of our love for God is expressed in our love for His children, in what we give and how we give. To give generously of the best one has, in whatever form expressed, reflecting divine qualities without respect of persons, is true giving. May we all learn the secret of true giving, so that our kindness to others may be no formal or calculated alms, but a deep and divine expression of God in our hearts.
"There is a destiny that makes us brothers:
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own."
