In studying the many epistles written by St. Paul, we cannot fail to see how highly he valued the work to which God had called him. He was fully persuaded of the great truths taught by Christ Jesus. He was fully convinced of the importance of their missionary purpose to mankind. He recognized his calling to be paramount over all other callings. His faithfulness and devotion to his work were due to his recognition of the fact that there is no greater work than to spread the gospel. "We are ambassadors for Christ," he states in his second letter to the Corinthians. In the same chapter he says God "hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." Throughout his epistles he shows a great yearning that those who have accepted the Christian faith should be living witnesses of its teachings, worthy exponents of the great profession which they represent. His high sense of values gave the impetus to his work, which was to enrich the world in all time to come.
We may find it helpful to measure our efforts in the Cause of Christian Science against Paul's unfailing zeal and enthusiasm. Have not we received the same high calling? Have not we, too, entered into the "ministry of reconciliation"? Each Christian Scientist who has named the name of Christ in Christian Science has entered the highest profession in the world—that of spiritual healing. We may be musicians, artists, schoolteachers, engineers, homekeepers, domestic helpers, or engaged in any other of the manifold forms of human activity. Whatever our human activity may be, if we have accepted the teachings of Christian Science, our paramount work is to heal; in other words, to demonstrate the truth we are taught in Christian Science. We can serve faithfully only the one God. This does not mean that we all have immediately to drop our human occupations and become registered Christian Science practitioners. It does mean, however, that we have gained a true sense of values; that what had ranked first with us presently becomes secondary. It means that as we go about our daily tasks we carry in our thought the Christ, Truth. It means that we do not seek to glorify ourselves in our work, but to glorify God; and that each problem our daily work presents is met with divine Science. In short, we work for God.
An insidious argument which may present itself to the student of Christian Science is that working for God means sacrifice, perhaps losing adequate remuneration and accepting restrictions on one's freedom. Error tries to argue that our living must be made among the professions and occupations of the world, and that if we are to meet our daily needs our work for God can occupy only our leisure. To listen to these suggestions is to accept a bland denial of Jesus' statement, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." This statement follows tender assurances of our heavenly Father's love and care for all His children.
