I vividly recall watching a documentary program on television, based on conditions in a country other than my own. Specifically designed to inform viewers of the appalling living conditions under which part of the population existed, the scenes must have been disheartening to those whose outlook was restricted by, and confined to, matter and things material. The program showed, among other distressing aspects, families and individuals homeless, near starvation, sleeping on sidewalks.
To me, however, besides arousing compassion, the TV item provided a mental spur and much food for thought. It made abundantly clear the metaphysical, healing work in Christian Science awaiting my attention.
My thought flashed at once to these words of Mrs. Eddy's: "A certain apothegm of a Talmudical philosopher suits my sense of doing good. It reads thus: 'The noblest charity is to prevent a man from accepting charity; and the best alms are to show and to enable a man to dispense with alms.'"Miscellaneous Writings, p. ix; I also turned to the very clear and instructive words of Christ Jesus, the great Teacher. After speaking of the necessity for food and clothing, and pointing out that our heavenly Father knows and cares, he indicated how everything necessary is supplied: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."Matt. 6:33; This word "added" carries great significance for me: There is no necessity for worry, doubt, anxious speculation, or human outlining. We don't have to try picturing how the need will be supplied. But we do need to direct thought to gaining more and more understanding of God and His works. We hold to the fact that divine Love could not leave creation incomplete. Perfect God, perfect man, perfect universe, rule out the mortal basis of belief in suffering and distress.
