If everyone were apprised of the fact that there exists a chart with definite, unmistakable directions, which when followed, cannot fail to bring into the experience of the user an overflowing abundance of good, it would seem that there would be a general and concerted effort on the part of all to obtain this chart and to adopt its plan. Yet, while just such an unfailing chart has been and is right now in existence, and is free for all to take and use, it is not generally accepted, and but comparatively few take note and follow faithfully its directions. The great Way-shower, Christ Jesus, said, as recorded in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, "Give, and it shall be given unto you;" and he added, "Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom."
Men are taught that they must first receive, and then give out of that which has been received. Therefore, when the Master tells us to give, and then to receive, we may be inclined to ask how one can have wherewith to give without getting. We may ask also, How can one accumulate sufficient for liberal giving, and yet not hoard? How can one give of what one already has—which is even now too little to supply one's needs—and still retain those things which are necessary to one's material welfare?
These questions, and questions of like nature, have their birth in a false sense of substance. Supply is too often supposedly dependent upon one's own as well as a world's changing conditions and circumstances, and therefore subject to fluctuation. Men believe substance to be matter, and so reasoning, they conclude that to give of one's substance is to give away something from a finite store. In this way they think that they will have less of needed goods, and fear that continued giving will cause them at some future time to experience lack themselves.
