“WIST ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Thus did Christ Jesus, in his first recorded words at the early age of twelve, set the seal on true business as belonging to the Father.
On page 52 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy has beautifully written: "From early boyhood he was about his 'Father's business.' His pursuits lay far apart from theirs. His master was Spirit; their master was matter. He served God; they served mammon. His affections were pure; theirs were carnal." What an answer to the oft-repeated statement that a business man cannot be a Christian, cannot conform his business to God's law, and be successful!
It is recorded of Jesus that he "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man;" yet he followed the humble trade of carpenter. One can picture him walking to and from the home at Nazareth, helping his fellows,—the sick, the sad, the poor, and the sinful,— perhaps by a smile or an encouraging word. How they must have loved him! Then, too, in the carpenter's shop, whatever he was fashioning, always he must have exercised loving care. Mrs. Eddy saw this, for she writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 166) that before he could become "the glorified," Jesus, the great Wayshower, had to be, through Christ, "an honest man, a good carpenter, and a good man."
