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.
