Spiritual Abundance ROBERT STANLEY ROSS          So much depends upon the way in which we view things, that it behooves mankind to see the prime importance of getting the right view, which is, of course, the spiritual view. Finite sense, ignorant of the infinite possibilities of real being, hedges itself about with matter and bases its conclusions on its own limited outlook upon the universe and man. Instead of looking above and beyond matter into the inexhaustible resources of divine Principle, Love, by which man is maintained and sustained, it takes stock of matter, in order to determine how much substance it possesses.          To be sure, Christian Science requires manifestation as proof of our position as students; nevertheless, it teaches us to cease measuring substance in accordance with the abundance or lack of material things in our possession, and to begin measuring it in accordance with the all-sufficient supply of ideas emanating from the divine Mind, God. Said the prophet, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."          The Bible does not record that Jesus ever looked upon matter as substance. Instead of carrying about with him supplies with which to feed his followers, he invoked the divine aid to meet every need. Writing on pages 89 and 90 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says, "If seed is necessary to produce wheat, and wheat to produce flour, or if one animal can originate another, how then can we account for their primal origin? How were the loaves and fishes multiplied on the shores of Galilee, — and that, too, without meal or monad from which loaf or fish could come?"          Both the Old and the New Testament record notable demonstrations of plenty in the midst of seeming lack, one of the most interesting and helpful being that of Elijah at the home of the widow of Zarephath. When Elijah appeared, the woman informed him she had barely enough meal with which to make a bit of cake for herself and child, and that after that was eaten she believed she and her son would be faced by starvation. The prophet, however, instead of assenting to the suggestion which the woman had accepted and unsuspectingly would have passed on to him, rejected it by telling her to bake the cake and give the first of it to him, after which she could satisfy her own and the child's sense of hunger.          The narrative indicates that when the woman obediently complied with this astonishing command to give, in the very presence of such seeming poverty, she awoke from the error that was obsessing her, even as one awakes from a disturbing night-dream and finds that all is well. This awakening appears to have opened the way for the truth about God's abundance to take possession of the woman's thought; for from that hour, the record tells us, she and her house had enough and to spare, even as the weary multitudes, fed by Jesus, were filled, the disciples afterward gathering up many basketfuls of food that remained.          Several years ago the writer had an experience that helped him to understand, as never before, the demonstration above referred to. He was the guest of friends in a rural community where some earnest Christian Scientists were endeavoring to realize means with which to make needed improvements in the building where their Reading Room was located. When the proposal to give toward completing the project was presented to him, all sorts of counterarguments paraded before his thought. Was he not already shouldering enough expense in helping the branch church of which he was a member? Would not giving here prevent him from giving needed help in other directions? Was it not wiser, after all, to let the little band make its own demonstration?          After listening to these and other suggestions of selfishness and lack, he was reminded of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath; whereupon the light began to appear. He now saw clearly that, as another writer has expressed it, a closed hand can neither give nor receive, but an open hand can both give and receive, — the hand, of course, signifying one's attitude of thought. Did not Jesus tell his followers to give first, after which it would be given unto them? On page 79 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says, "Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us."          The modus operandi now became evident. By giving, that is, by opening the doors of thought to unselfishness, we take one of the most necessary steps in the process of manifesting our birthright as sons and daughters of God. By withholding needed help, however, we accept the suggestion of lack, deny our birthright as joint-heirs with Christ, and shut out the recognition and enjoyment of God's blessings that otherwise would be ours. Jesus referred with approbation to the person who cast into the treasury all that she had of visible supply, as if to say that she knew that real wealth was not stored-up matter, but confidence, based on spiritual understanding, and that divine Love, ever present and ever available, meets every human need.          It need hardly be said that the writer hesitated no longer, but responded to the appeal. Happily enough, when he reached home on the morrow, a messenger handed him a package containing a much-needed article that was, in value, twice the amount of the contribution. Furthermore, before nightfall the postman brought a letter inclosing a check, exceeding the amount of the gift. Thus the measure with which he had meted was measured to him not once, nor twice, but thrice. In addition thereto, he had found the remedy for selfishness and lack to be in unselfish, grateful giving.          How wonderful it is to know that, in reality, man has never lacked anything, but that he has abundant life, health, happiness, supply, — divine substance! Man is idea or reflection, in whom the loving Father-Mother Mind is always well pleased. As the prodigal's parent said to the dissatisfied and complaining elder brother, so God is ever saying to us all, however the material senses may argue, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." Divine Love no more ordains poverty than it ordains sickness and sin. Hence, if we do not receive that for which we ask, we may be sure that the cause is not lack of supply, but lack of loving receptivity and reflection, — giving.          The only will of God is good will, even the will that we should always have everything that we need, at all times, wherever we may be. When we are morally and spiritually qualified to discern and demonstrate this fact, we shall joyfully turn upon and reject the temptation to believe in lack of substance as readily as we now turn upon and reject the temptation to believe in lack of health or lack of uprightness. All that the Father has is ours by right of spiritual reflection, here and now. Is not that enough? Can we by any means have more than all? Therefore, let us begin today to employ and enjoy that which divine Love has already given man, and which we shall see manifested in human experience just as soon as we are ready faithfully, understandingly, and gratefully to open our hearts and hands to receive it.          Referring to the readiness of divine Love to bless mankind, if mankind will so permit, the Revelator writes of the Christ, Truth, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."   "Spiritual Abundance" by Robert Stanley Ross Christian Science Sentinel, December 6, 1924

 

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