The question of reward plays a vast part not alone in the business world; it goes deeper, forming in many instances the incentive even for conduct. The fear of punishment on one side, and the promise of reward on the other, are held out so that mankind shall more readily yield to the demand for morality; and this is called religious teaching. The reason for obedience to God's commandments is openly acknowledged to be the endeavor thereby to escape from punishment or to reap a reward; and instead of a spontaneous outflow of gratitude and devotion, man's service of God is likely to become self-seeking; self-glorification replacing the natural destiny of man to glorify his Maker. This view of the religious life results in such confusion that ethical values are perverted and glaring examples of self-righteousness, intolerance, uncharitableness, and condemnation are found among those whose earnest professions of love for God are supported by devotion and self-abnegation in strict observance of church requirements and accepted standards of morality.
Many familiar texts superficially used seem to justify this attitude, and those proud of having earned their salvation can quote from the writings of holy men, in apparent support of that feeling of superiority resultant from constant church attendance, the doing of good works, and the avoiding of unpopular sins. That all these texts are misunderstood if their interpretation leads to a sense of merit, is made plain by the Master's saying, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." This view, that man could by meritorious conduct, by self-denial, or by the grudging performance of hateful duties, gain more of God's gifts or force a special flow of divine grace, culminates in the belief that pain, torment, and agony are the means of grace specially appointed by God, by which men may come to merit exceptional reward. The parable of the laborers in the vineyard, for instance, does not harmonize in the least with this point of view, and only Christian Science, with its correcting illumination of the relation of man and God, can straighten out contradictions and faulty concepts and satisfy both piety and reason.
Christian Science has taught mankind to look at work of every kind, whether it be work at home, in business, or in the church, relief work or educational work, or work for the advancement of the race, as the outflow of Life and Love, as a privilege, as an expression of normal activity, as an opportunity, and therefore a joy and a blessing. Since God is All-in-all, all good activity must be God's work, and it becomes literally true that man is "blessed in his deed." In this way, by seeking "first the kingdom of God," the divine guidance for right thinking and consequent right doing, men have the assurance that "all these things shall be added unto" them, "for," says Jesus, "your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of" them, not that you have earned them; they are provided like sunshine and rain, which, as he told them, come alike to the evil and the good.
