Freedom from Debt

HERBERT L. FRANK

One of the important needs of mankind is to understand how to demonstrate freedom from debt. To some, the prospect of achieving this freedom may appear to be remote, or even impossible, and they may be tempted to doubt God's presence and His power to help them to reach this goal. Such an erroneous conclusion is rebuked by Mrs. Eddy's statement in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 58), "There is moral freedom in Soul." The ability to do right, then, is derived from God, and is, therefore, not subject to any material circumstance or condition, but is, and always will be, ever present and available. Meeting a financial obligation demonstrates moral freedom, since financial problems are essentially moral problems, involving, as they frequently do, the exercise of conscience.

Debt involves limitation, unhappiness, and bondage. Well has it been said, "When you run in debt you give to another power over your liberty!" This statement is similar to that in Proverbs, "The borrower is servant to the lender." To be wrongly in debt is to be in bondage, because debt interferes with a person's freedom to do as he chooses with that which should be his.

In Christian Science we recognize that we have debts or duties which do not pertain to the payment of money, but which, when faithfully discharged, have a definite relationship to the demonstration of all good. Some of these duties are set forth by Mrs. Eddy in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. VIII, Sect. 6), where she makes it obligatory upon "every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind," and says, "By his works he shall be judged,—and justified or condemned."

The fulfilling of our duty to God was best exemplified by Christ Jesus, whose life and works constitute an example for all mankind to follow. In order to emulate him, it is necessary to understand the true nature of God. We need to understand that God is perfect; that He is perfect Life, Truth, Love, Mind, Principle; and that, being perfect, He is not the source or creator of discord, lack, sin, disease, or death. The wholesome acceptance of these truths about divine Mind results in the improvement of one's circumstances.

As loyal Christian Scientists, we recognize our debt to our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for her work as Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Paying this debt calls for an ever increasing affection for the things of God, which, in turn, is expressed in consecration and obedience to the demands of Christian Science. The loving discharge of this debt to our Leader, as evidenced in the study of the Bible, together with Mrs. Eddy's writings, and the practice of that which is learned from them, will prove an invaluable aid and guide in the practical demonstration of freedom from debt, as well as in the solution of any other type of problem, physical or moral.

The command cited by the Master, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," defines another debt—our debt to mankind. According to this command, our obligation to our neighbor includes much more than being merely agreeable or pleasant to him. In order truly to love our neighbor as ourselves it is necessary to live in genuine Christian fellowship; and the Bible says, "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another." The desire to conform to this law of Love will prompt him who is in debt to exert every effort to liquidate his indebtedness to his neighbor. He will realize that in paying his obligation he will demonstrate, in a measure, the truth that man is God's image and likeness; and in knowing this he is loving his neighbor as himself. If the evidence of the senses seems to present logical reasons for excusing him from the immediate discharge of this duty, he can vehemently deny this false testimony, realizing that as God's perfect child he is honest, just, and pure, and always free to do that which is right.

Demonstrating freedom from debt is largely a matter of true affection, for "love is the fulfilling of the law," and we usually accomplish that which we love to do. We must love to do good. This love for doing good, conscientiously entertained, will express itself through obedient fulfilling of one's "duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind," in a freedom far greater than could possibly be experienced apart from the application of these spiritual ideas. Thus we may prove the truth of Mrs. Eddy's words (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 232), "The right way wins the right of way, even the way of Truth and Love whereby all our debts are paid, mankind blessed, and God glorified."

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