"Seek ye first the kingdom of God"

Albert F. Gilmore

Many of Jesus' precepts, even those which are most familiar, are often accepted as expressions of truth, rather than as ways of life which must be followed in order that progress may be made Spiritward and the salvation which he promised won. Among these sayings is the admonition, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." How gaining of material things can follow the seeking of God's kingdom has long been a mystery, a mystery to which Christian Science furnishes a complete solution. Christian Science insists that fulfillment of his promises is conditioned upon strict obedience to Jesus' words, in both the letter and the spirit. There is no slightest possibility, however, of gaining the rewards of righteousness which he foretells without full adherence to his precepts. Yet how often do mortals endeavor to gain the added things without fulfilling the preliminary provisions upon which successful demonstration is conditioned!

But, one may say, do we not see all about us the gaining of material things of many kinds, wealth in many forms, without the slightest attempt to obey the Master's teachings? The answer to this question must be in the affirmative. But the gaining of the material things without obedience to the injunction advances us not one step Spiritward; it is not success. In fact, this seeming success is a failure, for under such circumstances the seeking for and possession of material things increases one's belief in matter as reality. Mrs. Eddy states positively in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 239) that "success in error is defeat in Truth." Only by losing the false belief regarding success, through understanding that Spirit is the only substance, is progress made.

Furthermore, it must be distinctly understood that gain of the added things must not be the primary purpose in seeking God's kingdom, else we fall under the condemnation which Jesus pronounced upon those who craved merely the loaves and fishes. Rather must spiritual things be sought for their own sake, because they are real, substantial; and the seeking of them is the heavenly way. Those in search of health through spiritual means especially need to be wise in this particular. While it is quite comprehensible that a sufferer, perhaps from a so-called chronic ailment of years' standing, desires first of all release from bondage, and is entitled to it; yet if he puts physical release above spiritual enlightenment as the goal of his desires, he fails to achieve true healing. Suppose release from the malady were won through the use of material means. No spiritual progress would have been made; rather does such experience tend to confirm one's belief in the reality of matter.

The case is precisely analogous to that of the seeker for material things of whatsoever character; and the same results follow—enhanced belief in the reality of Spirit's supposititious opposite. When this problem is fairly faced and seen in its true significance, the sufferer will turn with joyous assurance to the fulfillment of the Master's words, knowing that health won thus will be permanent, because founded upon the Rock, Christ.

The temptation constantly confronts us, it seems, to believe that the suffering we experience is actual—is a condition of fact. Let us know, rather, that since it is not of God's creating it is not an emanation from Him, and so has no slightest claim to reality. Holding it in thought as real, as something from which we must be released, tends to give it the only semblance of reality it possesses; and the very intensity of our desire to be rid of it increases its seeming hold upon us. Then, as we turn to the Nazarene's words and earnestly seek "first the kingdom," the day dawns. We are not seeking God's kingdom if we are not striving to demonstrate that suffering is not real. Rather are we disobedient to the First Commandment, as well as to the precepts of our Lord. As we grasp the fact that God is the only presence and power; that He is infinite, unchanging, eternal Love; that man is the child of God, incapable of discord and disease, we shall, in proportion to our hold upon the Christ, Truth, gain the spiritual blessedness which constitutes the kingdom of God.

Incident to this attainment there follow the needful supply, whatever mortals have found necessary to harmonious human experience. None can mistake Mrs. Eddy's realization that men's first need is for spiritual ideas, in the gaining of which the needed things are supplied. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 307) we find these significant words: "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. "In obedience to our Leader's words we are fulfilling the command of the Master.

Albert F. Gilmore

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