IN nothing was Jesus more emphatic than his insistence that men should seek the highest good and should make the kingdom of God the ruling passion of their lives, lie not only taught this, but he lived it, and thus became the Wayshower whose words and deeds, when enshrined in men's hearts, bring forth the fruits of righteousness. Patient study of the Master's teaching and example can leave no doubt as to what the noblest life-purpose should be, yet humanity generally is actuated by a distorted sense of proportion with regard to those things which bring peace and happiness.
So it was in the days of Jesus' ministry. With that wonderful perception which enabled him to penetrate into the very hearts of the people around him, he saw that among them were those who in their saner, calmer moments recognized what their duty to God and their neighbor was, and knew that that duty was imperative if they would find the kingdom of God;yet who were so absorbed in materiality as to blunt noble aspiration and restrain pure desire. They were not irreligious; many of them were overreligious, and made such an inordinate display of their religion as to provoke stern denunciation from him who detected the false motive at the back of these public observances. And so he plainly told them that they were trying to do what is impossible. "No man," said he, "can serve two masters: ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon;" and the lesson has lost none of its freshness by reason of the passing of centuries. Truth is truth always, and truth's teaching possesses an inherent potency that can never lose vitality.
But in studying the lessons that Jesus sought to implant in the hearts of humanity, we may be in danger of placing upon them unwarranted limitations. We may lie drawing distinctions which are not justified and interpretations which will not bear examination. We may hold that when Jesus spoke of "mammon" he was thinking only of his wealthy hearers, those who were rich in this world's goods and at the same time sought to make believe they were also rich in piety and devotion to God; but he knew that among those who were trying the dual servitude which he declared was impossible, were the poor (materially) as well as the rich. To what extent do men in these days adopt a similar attitude? How far do Christian Scientists recognize that true progress and demonstration over error depend upon the "single eye," that healthy condition of thought and purpose which makes us receptive to spiritual light?
