That success in human affairs can be attained by putting spiritual things first was indicated by Jesus when he said (Matt. 6:33), "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." And Jesus repeatedly met human needs by seeking first the kingdom of God. Even at the age of twelve he had begun to discuss spiritual things with those who were far older than he.
Bible students will recall this incident, which took place when Mary and Joseph left Jerusalem after the feast of the Passover. Jesus stayed behind, and when his parents returned and chided him for not coming with them, but remaining in the temple to reason with the learned men, he said (Luke 2 : 49), "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"
A student of Christian Science, struggling with a problem of changing business, pondered this statement of Jesus' and realized that he too must be about his Father's business. So he decided to do some scientific reasoning on the subject, taking as his basis the definition of God given on page 465 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and working with each one of the seven synonyms.
Thinking of Principle, divine Love, he concluded that the business of Principle must be conducted according to an absolute and unchanging law of good, which admitted of no evil suggestion, no thought transference, no manipulation, no lack, no confusion, and no beginning, end, diminution, or cessation. He saw that a clear concept of divine Principle and its constantly active law must of necessity eliminate errors from one's thought and experience.
Next he pondered the meaning of Mind and recalled Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health (p. 469), "The exterminator of error is the great truth that God, good, is the only Mind, and that the supposititious opposite of infinite Mind —called devil or evil—is not Mind, is not Truth, but error, without intelligence or reality." Since Mind is one and infinite, he reasoned, there can in divine reality be no conflicts such as seem to exist where the falsity of minds many is accepted as real. There can be nothing forgotten or overlooked, since there is never any absence of Mind, Truth, for God is ever present. The realization that infinite Mind governs every action of God's business—the only real business—rules out the possibility of errors of judgment being manifested or wrong decisions being made.
Turning to the thought of Soul, the Christian Scientist realized that Soul's business has unlimited resources and that substance is infinite, adequate for any right activity, regardless of the extent of its scope. Soul imparts correct vision, or spiritual discernment, which destroys the illusiveness of limited capabilities. Our Leader says in Science and Health (p. 89): "We are all capable of more than we do. The influence or action of Soul confers a freedom, which explains the phenomena of improvisation and the fervor of untutored lips."
The student took up each synonym in turn, gaining ever clearer views of the strength and harmony which must characterize the business of God, Spirit. This study revealed to him a loving Father-Mother ever meeting the needs of His children, as so beautifully expressed by Mrs. Eddy in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 307): "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow : it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment."
The thought of God as Love, divine Life, brought him a concept of Love's presence, giving bliss and immortality to man, His spiritual image and likeness. This man is eternally conscious of God's glory and dominion. Grateful for a clearer realization of God, the student knew that this understanding would be operative to produce a happier and more fruitful human experience, and this naturally followed.
In a previous business problem the same student found his answer in a thorough study of the Lesson-Sermon, given in the Christian Science Quarterly. He had been thrown out of employment by business conditions and had canvassed the city for openings in advertising work. But two weeks elapsed and he had located nothing. Then one morning, instead of the hurried half-hour which he usually gave to the reading of the Lesson, he studied it thoroughly for more than two hours with no thought of time or problems, absorbing the thought of each sentence and paragraph and pondering the spiritual truths it contained.
Hardly had he finished when there was a long-distance telephone call from a man he would never have thought of approaching with reference to employment, who said that his firm was in a predicament because a key employee had just resigned, and who asked whether the position would be of interest. It was accepted that day and for many years proved satisfactory in meeting the student's human needs. During the course of this business experience many inharmonious office conditions were healed, and Christian Science was accepted as the truth by some of his associates.
In pondering this healing of lack of employment, which was based on spiritual preparation for each day's work, the student recalled that the importance of the Lesson-Sermon is brought out in the Manual of The Mother Church. In Article III, Section 1, Mrs. Eddy points out the need of adequate preparation by the Readers for reading the Sunday Lesson and indicates that the prosperity of Christian Science depends in large measure on this Lesson. Since this is so, it must be correspondingly true that the prosperity of individual Christian Scientists is definitely promoted by their study of the Lesson-Sermons.
Spiritual fidelity inevitably brings results. If one's problem seems baffling and unyielding, let him increase the measure of his fidelity. More consecrated study and prayer open thought to the guidance of God's angels and to a harmonious solution of business and other difficulties, by which all concerned are blessed and prospered.
