Many human plans have been devised for sharing wealth, but none has proved permanently practical. One reason for this is that plans for sharing wealth by means of division and distribution, or redistribution, are based upon the belief that wealth is material, whereas the fact is that wealth, in the best meaning of the term, is spiritual. Real substance being Spirit, or Mind, true wealth, the expression of that Mind, is spiritually mental. In other words, real wealth consists of ideas, those ideas which express God; and ideas cannot be divided, but are multiplied by reflection. All the sons of God are endowed equally with the capacity to reflect those ideas which express God, divine Mind, and thus all share equally the true wealth which manifests real substance.
It is inconceivable that one individual could deprive another individual of his share of true riches, since all possess them by reflection. Obviously, since Mind, God, infinite good, is universal in its nature, those spiritual ideas which express divine Mind are universally and equally available to all. To use a numerical illustration, the number nine can be multiplied indefinitely; and because all may be conscious of and use the same number nine in their arithmetical calculations, one number nine is sufficient. Similarly, in divine Science, all may, by reflection, share the spiritual ideas that express God. And thus all may be consciously aware of the inexhaustible supply of true riches. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Romans 11:33.) Since wisdom and knowledge are, in the best sense, purely spiritual, they express real substance. These ideas are not diminished by reflection. The extent to which they can be thus used cannot be measured, because they express the quality of infinity.
It may be said of Jesus that although he voluntarily renounced the accumulation of material wealth, the spiritual riches he possessed were limitless, because he was "endowed with the Christ, the divine Spirit, without measure" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 30). The true knowledge, divine wisdom, and spiritual understanding which he reflected "without measure" enabled him always to be provided with those things which were humanly needed, and likewise to supply the needs of others. In this sense he was not poor, but rich beyond human calculation. Referring evidently to the possession of real wisdom and true knowledge, Jesus once said (Matthew 13:12), "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance."
Writing of the true spiritual riches which Jesus so abundantly possessed, and which he so graciously and generously shared with others, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, says on page 54 of Science and Health: "Through the magnitude of his human life, he demonstrated the divine Life. Out of the amplitude of his pure affection, he defined Love. With the affluence of Truth, he vanquished error." Thus in the most practical way possible, through healing sickness and sin, feeding the multitude, and restoring to life those who had died, Christ Jesus bestowed upon others the richness and glory which were his divine heritage. Such works as these constitute the very best means of sharing wealth, and the Master said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also."
It is evident from the book of Acts that after the ascension of Jesus his early followers adopted some sort of communal plan by which their material property was shared. It is said (Acts 2:44, 45), "And all things believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." However, it is also shown, by the reference in the same book to the experience of Ananias and Sapphira, that human greed and dishonesty very quickly asserted themselves in the attempt to defeat the purpose of this plan. And the record does not show that the plan continued in effect among the early Christians for any considerable length of time. Partly on account of the selfish and grasping instincts of the human mind, and partly because of the mortal belief that one person is superior to another in cleverness and what is humanly regarded as business ability, it has been truly said, in substance, that if all the material wealth were evenly distributed in the morning, a condition of inequality would be in evidence by evening. Thus equality of distribution would be destroyed.
However, the equal distribution of real wealth cannot be disturbed, because, as has been seen, it is governed by divine law; and to the extent that this law is allowed to operate in human experience, it will bring about an equitable distribution of those things which seem necessary for human comfort. Referring to the practical operation of this divine law, Mrs. Eddy writes on page 206 of Science and Health, "In the scientific relation of God to man, we find that whatever blesses one blesses all, as Jesus showed with the loaves and the fishes,—Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply."
Christian Scientists have learned, to some extent, how to share the abundant wealth of their heavenly Father, divine Mind, through exercising their God-ordained right to reflect those ideas that express Him. Thus they are finding themselves less afraid of lack, less concerned with human codes designed to facilitate distribution of wealth, and less inclined to be envious or jealous of those who seem temporarily to possess more of material riches than they. And in making this demonstration, they are encouraged by these words of their beloved Leader, found in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 186): "Rest assured that He in whom dwelleth all life, health, and holiness, will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory."
