Now that the new Christian Science Church Center is taking shape according to God's direction, it would be helpful for each of us to ponder this inspiring statement from the book of Malachi: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."Mal. 3:10;
In the Glossary of Science and Health we find the comprehensive sense of the word "tithe" revealed to our Leader, Mrs. Eddy. The first portion of her definition reads, "Contribution; tenth part; homage; gratitude."Science and Health, p. 595; From ancient times men have given a tenth part of their possessions to God as a symbol of their allegiance to Him. These contributions are considered a vital part of their religion. Mrs. Eddy points her followers to a more inclusive sense of the word "tithe" when she describes it as homage and gratitude. This understanding of true tithing should form the basis of all our contributions and actions if we are to bring into our experience the true idea of substance and activity as God's liberal outpouring of all good to His children. It is a joy to cherish homage and gratitude, to deepen our perception of their true meaning, and then to live them in daily life.
We need to ask ourselves how we can deepen our homage. Let us take every opportunity to acknowledge the allness of Spirit and the nothingness of matter in all its supposed forms. Each time that we know that God is omnipotent and supreme we are rendering true homage to Him. This is vital to our demonstrations of Science—spiritual tithing which is as important to the Christian Scientist as tithing of human possessions. True reverence and respect are unfeigned, heartfelt, and ceaseless; their natural manifestations should be willing and joyous.
