Humanity is always longing for something. Men are ever reaching out for that which they consider materially necessary to their comfort and happiness, in spite of the injunction of the Master, "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on," and the assurance, "Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." He who created man must care for him; yet so-called mortal mind would ever interpose a desire for a vague something, which having attained, it still remains unsatisfied.
The story is told of a shepherd boy who cherished the legend of a rare blue flower, to be found only upon the mountain top, which would open the door to a cave in the mountain in which were hidden rich treasures and precious jewels. Always the boy looked for this flower; and one day he found it. Quickly a door in the mountain side opened, and he entered a cavern in which were treasures more beautiful than he had dreamed. He laid the blue flower down and had begun to fill his pockets, when he heard a voice saying, "Don't forget the best." The boy looked up and saw a throne in the cave, with one seated upon it. Responding that he would not forget, the boy cast out from his pockets the gems which he had already gathered, to choose other and larger ones. Again and yet again the voice spoke, and the boy responded by seeking still more beautiful gems, until he could find no finer jewels than those he had taken. As he reached the door, the voice said for the last time; "Don't forget the best;" but feeling satisfied that he had chosen "the best," the shepherd boy went out of the cave and closed the door. As he walked, he suddenly found himself lightened of the weight which he had carried, and putting his hands into his pockets found them filled with dead leaves. Then he realized that he had left the key to his good fortune—the lovely flower—inside the cave!
What is "the best" that we must retain? Is it not the key to true substance? And true substance can never be material! Throughout all the lessons taught by the patriarchs of Israel, we find that their days were spent, not in the pursuit of mere material getting, but in prayer and careful, efficient work for their heavenly Father. How often does humanity set aside the best, the "open sesame" to things of spiritual value, the blue flower of spiritual desire, which opens the door to the treasures of Truth and Love, in order to follow the trail of things material, which may be discerned only by the five senses, and which only weigh one down, and in the ultimate have but power to crumble into dust! Like Israel, humanity often worships the creature and not the creator, thereby losing the spiritual essence of life, robbing it of its charm, its power of development and progress, and its ability to unfold on a truly spiritual and cultural basis. Material riches cannot buy true substance; but the true substance of divine Mind leads the way to the riches which are eternal.
