Our human experience is a constant sifting of what is thought to be worthwhile from that which is thought to be worthless. Our own estimation of anything determines for us its value. Although general opinion has a tendency to set values in the human realm, in the final analysis we determine for ourselves the worth of everything that comes to our attention.
The writer of Proverbs answers the question, Wherein is value? in these words (8:11): "Wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Some might interpret this wisdom as human knowledge. But the student of Christian Science is learning that spiritual understanding is true wisdom, for it awakens him to the truth that God and His spiritual creation are all that are really valuable because they are all that really exist. Then the standard for judging human values is: How do they measure up to that which is real?
Christian Science reveals that there is no value in material objects in themselves, because they are merely a false sense of real objects, which are spiritual. Whatever is useful or beautiful serves to meet our human needs, but Science warns us not to look to matter for usefulness or beauty, for they are not really there. All that is helpful is to be found in that which reflects the divine Mind, always present and so always available in forms we can understand.
