The nature of true good, that which supplies and enriches our lives, is eternal and is infinite. It is wholly spiritual, and we receive it in the form of spiritual ideas. This good is of undiminishing value. In fact its value to us constantly increases, and our lives are progressively enriched as we are steadfast in seeking good of Spirit. This is the treasure Christ Jesus spoke of as being in heaven, "where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." ^{Matt. 6:20.} The Bible abounds with statement and proof of the eternal, infinite nature of God's treasury open to mankind.

"The first iniquitous manifestation of sin was a finity," we read in a chapter entitled "The Human Concept" by Mrs. Eddy. Earlier in the same paragraph is this: "Sin was, and is, the lying supposition that life, substance, and intelligence are both material and spiritual, and yet are separate from God." ^{Retrospection and Introspection, p, 67.}

In this light, inflation might be called a sign of sin—an indication that we are missing the mark in identifying real substance and imputing true value. Like all mistakes, this one is correctable, healable through the activity of Christ, Truth. Behind the economic crisis of inflation is the belief that good is limited and perishable. The very core of inflation is the iniquitous lie of finity. A help in overcoming the hardships of inflation is the morality that controls greed and selfishness, but the final cure lies in a deeper apprehension that the nature of reality is infinite, and of undiminishing value.

When we see inflation robbing some people of the fruits of their labor, and others of jobs in which they might labor, we have the opportunity to deny the sin of limitation and finiteness. Christ, ever-present Truth, cancels a belief in finity, for Christ, man's real consciousness, knows only infinitude.

This truth operating in human affairs will improve economic theories and practices, and will prevent pushing the economy when it is not wise to do so. Some knowledge of the infinite nature of being brings with it wisdom on the detail level in both business and labor, and provides political courage where that is needed. Christ, Truth, makes practical the underlying spiritual fact that all good is freely given of God. Man is not a finite mortal, indebted to God. He is not a limited mortal at all, but the recipient of Spirit's unfailing good. Even more, spiritual man is, as Christian Science makes clear, the very manifestation of undiminishing good. What man is and has emanates from the infinite God and constantly unfolds as infinite in nature.

Man has undepletable resources, a forever unlimited income. These spiritual facts, entertained and lived in the highest degree possible, can have dominance in our human experience. We need not despair even in the face of accumulating evidence that our money is losing its value, or that one's country is losing its industrial competitiveness, or our world failing to meet the needs of its people. The scientific fact of unending good prevails. God is supreme, and man reflects this supremacy. This is the spiritual truth regarding all mankind, whether living in developed, underdeveloped, or developing countries.

The inflation that would be most destructive is an inflated sense of what mortality claims, what the volatile trend of human events portends, what matter can do for us. Such inflation would devalue or belittle the living substance of our being. We cannot trust both Spirit and matter. A growing understanding of and trust in Spirit edges out material trusts and fears. Spiritual enlightenment will lift from mankind the lies of finiteness that show themselves, among other ways, as problems of the economy.

To the degree that we put our trust in unchangeable spiritual good, our lives become a stable influence in our world. Economists and financial planners can be guided by spiritual genius. Sometimes a simple answer exists for even complicated economic problems. Money serves, among other purposes, as a medium of exchange. If the substance of what we give each other reflects our knowledge of God and His infinite goodness—expresses the Christ—we will make inroads in destroying hardships and inequities. God, universal Principle, cares for all, and man reflects this universal caring.

When Peter began to sink (though he had walked on the water), in essence denying God's sustaining power, His continuing good, Jesus said, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" ^{Matt. 14:31.} Our Master's rebuke may well ring in our ears. Do we doubt God's continuing care? Do we not see the infinite nature of true supply? This rebuke was given Peter as "Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him."

If we are hearing the rebuke, may we not expect to feel the divine hand saving us? Fears that are spawned by belief in limited good cannot engulf us when we reach out for the saving truth— knowledge of God's infinity.

Considering inflation as a manifestation of mankind's misplaced trust in matter, with resultant greed and selfishness, we can dig at the root of this evil that is causing so much suffering. Loving and worshiping undiminishable Spirit, not finite things and money, we find everything in our lives either increasing in value or recognized as having little value, and therefore happily dispensed with.

Mankind's willful denial of the infinite through trust in the finite shuts off the spiritual ideas that are the true source of supply. In a statement that has a lot more to it than what appears on the surface, Mrs. Eddy writes, "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 307.} This assurance gets at the heart of what we can do today in conquering inflation.

What should have overriding importance in our lives today is what is truly permanent and unchanging. Isn't that any understanding we might glean of spiritual truth? Inflation can't touch those treasures; they are indeed laid up in heaven. And they are tangible substance. The only way they can be devalued is through our neglecting to value them.

Deflation of spiritual values is the sin from which Christ, Truth, is saving us. We are daily participants in the healing as we garner spiritual ideas and value them above all else, trusting these to meet daily needs.

BEULAH M. ROEGGE