Although I have been a Christian Scientist since I was a young boy in grade school, it took me a long time to learn to put God first and business second. A practitioner had advised me to attend church more regularly, to put spiritual things first, but I could not see it that way then.
I was so absorbed in my business with its mass of details that I often worked sixteen hours a day, seven days a week. I neglected my church, put God's work second, and sometimes last. We all know the familiar mortal mind excuses that would separate us from God and church: too busy, too tired, rainy weather, and what not. Even in Jesus' parable, those bidden to the marriage feast "made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise" (Matt. 22:5).
Over two years ago, however, the government stopped most of my business for the duration. This gave me the opportunity I had always longed for and knew I should find sometime, a chance to try the other way. I began to put God first and business second. And I found that the most important work in life is to know more of God, good, to be about our "Father's business," doing good and helping others. Mrs. Eddy puts it quite plainly in Science and Health (p. 323), where she says, "If 'faithful over a few things,' we shall be made rulers over many."
