In common usage money, securities, household goods, and so forth are classified as "personal property," while houses and lands are referred to as "real estate." Neither the one nor the other, however, is real, in that it is not eternal or indestructible. Man's real estate, then, consists not of material things, but of spiritual ideas.
Jesus was fully aware of the truth about man's estate. Although he said at one time, "The Son of man hath not where to lay his head," he was even at that very moment in possession, in great measure, of true spiritual riches. He was rich in reality— in the understanding that Spirit is substance and is infinite. This he demonstrated in various ways, at different times, for the benefit of others as well as himself.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." And Christian Science teaches that the possession of man's true spiritual estate is not something that need be postponed, but is possible of attainment now. The consciousness of reality and the possession of true spiritual riches are not dependent on time or place. They depend on the understanding that heaven—harmony—with all that word denotes, is present now, and may be realized daily, in constantly increasing measure, by those who have learned that God, Spirit, is the only real substance and the unfailing source of abundance, health, and happiness. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 60), "Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul." And yet, many, the great majority in fact, continue to seek supply and security in matter.
