In the Scriptures we read (Ps. 118: 17), "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord." In other words, my motive in life, my purpose for living, is to give forth the healing and redeeming power of God. As he progresses in spiritual understanding, the student of Christian Science cannot fail to observe that more and more his daily life is becoming motivated and filled with the desire to work in the vineyard of God's holy service. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has outlined the way through her sacred writings and has exemplified in her life, with its grand achievements, the path of the Way-shower, Christ Jesus, that all may walk therein.
Jesus' life was a life of perpetual giving a giving of and a giving up of himself for the sake of humanity's salvation. Even as a young boy lingering in Jerusalem, after the feast of the Passover, his chief desire must have been to give his energies to a righteous cause, for his parents, after an anxious search of three days, found him in the temple amidst the doctors of the law, both listening to them and asking them questions. Jesus was about his Father's business, giving freely of his God-given knowledge, and we read in Luke (2:47) that "all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." Jesus honored the Mosaic law. Both literally and spiritually he obeyed the fifth commandment, for while paying due allegiance to his heavenly Father in the temple, he at the same time showed respect to his earthly parents, submissively returning with them to their home in Nazareth.
Jesus continuously gave to all changeless, impartial love, unstinted time and energy, a tireless example of selfless service in his demonstrations over human want and woe. He was the greatest demonstrator of Truth the world has ever known. He lived to give, and undoubtedly not half of his great benevolence was ever recorded. There is no joy equal to the joy of giving, of serving a righteous cause, and thus demonstrating the affluence of spiritual life with its manifestations of health and harmony.
