“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” (Luke)
In the book “Spiritual Precepts” (vol 1) Gilbert Carpenter says the following, about Mrs. Eddy, “She constantly heard the cry of the poor, the sick, the unhappy, the sinner and out of the wealth and overflow of her demonstration, she ceaselessly fed them—as Joseph when he was the custodian of the grain which he had gathered during the seven years of plenty in Egypt, fed the nations who were starving during the seven years of famine. This was the reason for Mrs. Eddy’s growth. Students today do not grow faster because, out of their abundance of spiritual good they do not realize much of what has been given them was for the purpose of sharing not withholding. Lack of giving will stultify growth.”
We all have something to give, even a smile and encouraging word will lift someone’s heart. It is true – giving opens our heart to receive even more of the great good that comes forth from our heavenly Father. This is a law of the universe and one we are blessed to obey. If you are concerned about your growth or lack of it, perhaps this is a call for you to share some of what you have already received with those hungering for this truth. It is good to often ask myself, am I hearing the call of the poor, the sick, etc. as did Mrs. Eddy? am I sensitive the needs of others or only wrapped up in my own troubles? Wake up to this calling! – for “blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good.” (S&H p. 518)