THE natural tendency of mortals is to seek after that which will give them pleasure or in some way add to their happiness; but reasoning from a wholly material basis, their treasure, present or prospective, is that which is pleasing to the human senses, and all too soon they find it infected, by moth or rust and hopelessly corrupted. Until mankind can look at life from a different standpoint and obey the behest of the master Christian to seek "first the kingdom of God," all efforts toward finding true happiness or even peace, must prove futile.
Ambitious to excel in some line of endeavor, or from purely selfish motives, many have made great effort and sacrifice to obtain the wealth, fame, civic, social, or political power which, as they think, will bring the desired joy, and have found that when it is gained they still lack the fundamental things necessary for satisfaction and peace. Riches will not buy health; fame will not satisfy a stricken conscience; while power of any kind, if of a material nature, is a poor substitute for the happiness which is based on the true conception of life. The material senses have never been found adequate to meet the demands of Spirit, of the divine Principle which "is unfolding Life and the universe, ever present and eternal" (Science and Health, p. 306).
"Take no thought for your life," said the Master, "what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on ... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." This is an absolute command, and the fulfilment of its promise is contingent only on the obedience of mankind in seeking "first" the kingdom. Then whatever of wealth or fame or power may come to them, is found to be a veritable treasure in heaven, the storehouse "where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt."
