The phrase, "a man of substance," is frequently used to indicate a person who has amassed wealth, shown by an accumulation of stocks and bonds, possession of real estate or other material objects of value, and a large bank account. The phrase indicates, in other words, a mortal plus much materiality, a person subservient to the whim of chance or change and one with no assurance of happiness or comfort from his acquisitions. This description does not fit the man of God's creating, made in His image and likeness, who is the bonafide man of substance.
In analyzing security and substance through the understanding gained in the study of Christian Science, we see man to be the individualized manifestation of infinite God, including such qualities as health, happiness, security, and permanence. This man appears here and now as the human concept is relinquished for the true idea, man made in God's likeness. This changeover takes place in thought, and the result is a more satisfactory state of affairs in human experience.
The true meaning of substance may be gained from the definition of Spirit, which is given in the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 594): "Spirit. Divine substance; Mind; divine Principle; all that is good; God; that only which is perfect, everlasting, omnipresent, omnipotent, infinite." The real man reflects Spirit, Principle, and expresses goodness and perfection. One who understands and demonstrates these truths is recognized by his associates and neighbors as an intelligent, honest, upright, and untiring worker; a citizen of integrity, respected in the community, and known by his unselfish benevolence and his effective support of every good cause. This individual has found within his true selfhood the elements of real substance, and this understanding externalizes itself in freedom from restriction or limitation.
A passage in the Bible which is correlated with the subject of substance is from Galatians (5:22, 23): "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
"Against such there is no law." What a glorious statement of security! No human law, so called, of unbalanced supply and demand, no cycles of inflation and deflation, no diminishing returns, no panic through political upheaval, no loss through climatic conditions or through human manipulation or past mistake—none of these phases of erring mortal mind can in any way affect the substance of Spirit or disturb the peace and security of the man of substance.
The one who fully exemplified this man was Christ Jesus, our Way-shower. His dominion over limitation was evidenced by the fact that he wore a seamless robe, supplied food for himself, his followers, and even for multitudes, healed all manner of physical discord, and in every human situation demonstrated to all the sustenance and abundance of God.
The steps taken by Jesus in proving spiritual substance are clearly defined in the Bible records. At the early age of twelve years he responded to the questioning of Mary by saying (Luke 2:49), "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Jesus was aware of his life's work and of his unity with his Father. He said also (John 5:17), "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," showing his understanding of man's coexistence with God.
The Master was fully conscious of his spiritual inheritance from the source of all good, and he drew upon this supply daily. Knowing that he came from God and went to God, Jesus was able to deny material law with its disorder and to work the works of the Father, bringing to light harmony and order.
The heritage utilized by the Master is available to all. Paul wrote (Rom. 8:16, 17), "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Thus through Bible authority one's true selfhood and his activity are established by the fundamental law of creation, which is the truth of God and His likeness, man.
Right thinking results in right living. The acquisition of the divine ideas of dominion, capability, activity, efficiency, wisdom, and foresight will bring to thought the expression of proper business acumen with harmonious results following. Spiritual ideas are man's birthright.
Conversely, the admission of the suggestions of fear, lack, distrust, pride, personal sense, and self carries in its wake a supply fluctuating under the so-called laws of mental and financial depression, incompetence, enforced retirement, inactivity, and apathy. These suggestions are spurious, since they are not the outcome of the one Mind, God. They are suggestions of separation or disinheritance and are to be refused consideration. They present themselves to mortal thought for acceptance, but, when rejected, they lose all entity.
In the article entitled "Angels" in "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy states (p. 307): "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: 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. What a glorious inheritance is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love!"
These angels or constructive ideas bring into human experience "the wide horizon's grander view" (Christian Science Hymnal, Hymn No. 218). The desire to expand and elevate thinking is a righteous one, since it is the natural expression of scientific thinking, which broadens the human outlook and lifts thought to higher, holier things. The scope of work for one who wants to prove the presence of the real man is therefore boundless.
The requisite way to gain this loftier plane of thought is threefold: vision, a readiness to accept divine guidance, and courage to go into the field of human thought and work the works of the Father. Spiritual intuition and courage are gained as an individual commences each day with right mental preparation. Through prayerful study of the Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly, established for our help by our Leader, one becomes conscious of the guidance mentioned in Isaiah (30: 21,) "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it."
Daily study and meditation are educational as well as inspirational, developing mental abilities and human capabilities. Each correctly started day becomes an unfoldment of God's law of love and abundance, overcoming frustration and limitation.
An illustration of the results of this fundamental work is shown by the changes which came about in the experience of a Christian Science family when they turned to God for direction. In conscientious effort to work out the highest good for the collegeage daughter, the parents decided to spend on a single semester in a private college the amount they had put aside for her entire freshman year in a state-supported university. They felt that the private college would best meet the educational needs of the daughter. In confidence, they took this step, and each semester thereafter they were able to pay the tuition.
The remarkable outcome was that the expanded thinking resulted not only in the one daughter's getting her degree, but in channels being opened so that other members of the family were able to have the same experience. The blessing spread into the lives of the parents as well, with the result that they spent happy years of association with the educational institution.
In an article, "Seedtime and Harvest," in "Unity of Good," Mrs. Eddy writes (pp. 11, 12): "Jesus required neither cycles of time nor thought in order to mature fitness for perfection and its possibilities. He said that the kingdom of heaven is here, and is included in Mind; that while ye say, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest, I say, Look up, not down, for your fields are already white for the harvest; and gather the harvest by mental, not material processes." It is inevitable that the student of this Christianly scientific religion, Christian Science, should recognize the harvest and come into his divine heritage, spiritual substance.
