Our word "sincerity" is so closely related in thought to purity that of all lovely qualities it might be designated the keystone of usefulness, happiness, and genuine spiritual progress. True philanthropy springs from the sincere desire to help others. Intuition whispers the message of brotherhood, "All one body we," even, perhaps, before the great spiritual fact of the oneness of Principle and idea is learned in Christian Science. The word "philanthropy" derives from two Greek words: philos, loving, and anthropos, man. In the highest sense, philanthropy means love of man.
Christian Science is exact in defining both what man is and what he is not. "Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements." So states our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 475). And on page 470 we read, "Man is the expression of God's being." Since man is not corporeal, but spiritual, true philanthropy does not primarily minister to sickness or poverty, nor does it dramatize evil or lack for the purpose of correcting them. True philanthropy embraces the Godlike qualities of justice, courage, and honesty, which derive from divine Mind and Truth. It demonstrates kindness and obedience to spiritual law, which bespeak Love and Principle; it manifests joy and spontaneity, which emanate from God, Soul, Spirit, Life. Genuine philanthropy values Godlike qualities and demonstrates God's allness in physical, moral, and mental healing and regeneration.
During the recent global conflict, when hearts and minds blended to mitigate in every possible way the nightmare of suffering and shock, many Christian Scientists, through inspiration and sound logic, saw beyond the materialistic connotation of philanthropy and demonstrated its spiritual meaning. This did not minimize their giving of good, but instead multiplied it many fold.
True philanthropy overturns the notion that matter in any form is either good or bad. If our giving does not in some measure challenge the illusion that matter has power to benefit or to injure, to inhibit or to empower ourselves or another, philanthropy will remain at the level of stopgap aid. Emergencies do, indeed, appear to arise which demand quick action. In rightfully administering humane relief, it is helpful to remember that keeping one's thought filled with Truth breathes a benediction; while dwelling on the vagaries of mortality tends to perpetuate the mesmeric dream.
A good Samaritan translates his love of good into deeds appropriate to the moment. Only blind self-righteousness passes by on the other side. The Christian Scientist is a humanitarian because he cherishes spiritual verities above material possessions. His purse opens with wisdom to care for his brother. He knows that true compassion will open his brother's eyes to the ultimate realization that divine Love meets all human needs.
In subscribing to scholarships for deserving youth, one gives not out of pity for lack, but in support of worth. Homes for the aged or very young, sanatoriums, worthy civic enterprises, are temporary shelters from some storm of mortal belief. True philanthropy sustains positive virtue; it bears witness not to ineptitude and weakness, but to man's God-bestowed ability and strength.
Because of his understanding of the spiritual nature of existence, Jesus was able to meet the human need, whatever its form. He never identified himself with matter, but with Spirit. Thus he was able to free himself and others from the limiting arguments of matter. Luke records in the ninth chapter of his Gospel that Jesus had been preaching all day to some five thousand persons in a desert place. At sundown the disciples urged him to send the people away into the towns for lodgment and food. When the Master said, "Give ye them to eat," the disciples protested the insufficiency of five loaves and two fishes. Then Jesus presented a consummate example of demonstration: "He took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven"—away from the physical sense testimony of lack—"he blessed them." Wisdom bids us to look above the seeming problem and thank God for present good.
The next step was to share with those around. He "brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude." There was no rushing smartly hither and yon to check results, no burdened sense of responsibility which must personally oversee every detail of the project, no dependence upon matter at all. His philanthropy, his love of man, was so rooted in the knowledge of God's allness and onliness that he was ever conscious of man's oneness with divine Principle. In bearing witness to Truth, he demonstrated such Godlike qualities as order, humility, gratitude, and faith. He proved that Mind multiplies its own pure ideas, and that these ideas supply the specific human need. How positive Jesus' action, and how sure his success!
John, the beloved disciple, emphasized the necessity for philanthropy in everyday affairs when he wrote (I John 4:20), "He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" One who has kindly consideration for husband or wife, business superior or employee, fellow committee worker or board member, finds his sense of philanthropy broadening to include all mankind. Fervency of sentiment for others has the exact tensile strength of affection first demonstrated at home.
Individuals banded together for charitable purposes should listen to each other's points of view with patience and courtesy. Varied opinions may arise concerning practical aspects of mutual interest, but under the guidance of the one Mind these can be weighed and harmonized. Thus the good is retained, the valueless rejected, and lasting benefits ensue. Divine wisdom garrisons enthusiasm, while timid conservatism and emotionalism are found wanting.
The effort to spiritualize consciousness is never in vain. The individual who resists the temptation of dictatorship is aware that even a worthy end never justifies self-willed means. True philanthropy, being loving, cultivates that flower of grace — magnanimity. A pure heart is quickest to discipline self, readiest to honor another. Loving co-operation is to far-reaching benevolence as cement foundations and steel girders are to sky-towering buildings.
Our Leader beautifully states (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 287, 288), "Philanthropy is loving, ameliorative, revolutionary; it wakens lofty desires, new possibilities, achievements, and energies; it lays the axe at the root of the tree that bringeth not forth good fruit; it touches thought to spiritual issues, systematizes action, and insures success; it starts the wheels of right reason, revelation, justice, and mercy; it unselfs men and pushes on the ages."
