The Christian Scientist's gratitude to God for His boundless blessings is measured by his devotion to Truth, by the demonstration, rather than by the profession, of his faith. Jesus once watched some rich men and a poor widow casting gifts into the treasury of the temple. And he remarked (Luke 21:3), "Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."
Gratitude, as understood in Christian Science, is not measured fundamentally by what we give of our money or material possessions, but by what we give of ourselves in true service. The consistent expression of self-forgetful love and service to God and to his fellow men enables the faithful worker to rejoice in the proof of Jesus' words (Luke 6:38): "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
One of the By-Laws of the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy appears under the heading "Easter Observances." It reads in part (Art. XVII, Sect. 2), "Gratitude and love should abide in every heart each day of all the years." The word "should" in this sentence is in the nature of a command. It is, therefore, the duty of every Christian Scientist to demonstrate unselfed love and gratitude in his daily living. This duty is closely allied to another By-Law, in which Christian Scientists are called upon to defend themselves daily from aggressive mental suggestion, also to remember to fulfill their duty to God, to Mrs. Eddy, and to mankind. Daily observance of these two By-Laws brings untold blessings to the faithful worker and enables him to meet joyously and effectively all of the obligations of church membership.
