If workers in the Cause of Christian Science at any time entertain a sense of pride about the way in which they are doing the particular kind of work assigned to them, the sooner they dispense with that pride the better it will be for them and for the work. Pride is a phase of egotism which leads mortals to arrogate to themselves the wisdom, intelligence, and ability which belong solely to God and should be attributed to Him alone.
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." A notable instance of the truth of the foregoing proverb is found in the Biblical story of David and Goliath. With pride in his physical strength, his prowess, and his material equipment, Goliath of Gath, champion of the Philistines, said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together." And it is recorded that "all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid." But David, a shepherd boy, materially equipped only with a sling and stones, but spiritually equipped with humble, childlike faith in the power of God, challenged the Philistine with these words: "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." And the story continues, "David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, but there was no sword in the hand of David." A clear triumph of humility over pride!
Jesus, the best man who ever lived on earth, humbly said, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Since the Master acknowledged God as the only source of his ability to be good and to do good, how much more should his humble followers be willing so to do!
