Many of the readers of this blog will recognize that these words were uttered by our Lord and Master, Christ Jesus. They are found in Luke 8:36. Let me give this Bible verse in full: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be masured to you again."
I couldn't help thinking of this statement--command actually--when a friend spoke to me about a problem her grandson was having. It seems this boy feels left out of social activities and thinks the other kids don't like him. As she and I talked about how to help him not be so miserable, it occurred to me that a shift in focus was the need here. Instead of worrying so much about was he getting enough attention and invitations from his classmates, he would do well to think about what he could give. Giving -- not getting was the direction to go. They talked about this, and she thinks he's beginning to see the light on this. Of course, it takes maturity and experience in life to get to the point where we conduct our lives in line with what God expects of us. But a beginning she feels has been made.
The woman who discovered and established my religion, Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in First Church of Christ, Scientists, and Miscellany on page l65: "Goodness never fails to receive its reward, for goodness makes life a blessing. As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good. Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inqluiry, What am I? to the scientific respone: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing."
Precisely. As one (if he or she is fortunate) finds out soomer or later, we aren't taking up space in this world just to cater to our own needs and wishes, but to express our heavenly Father, infinite, inexhaustible divine Love. Regardless of what our place in society may be, our real reason for being is to bear witness to God, to bestow upon our fellow beings -- whether living next door to us or on the other side of the globe - the love God is unconditionally pouring out to us.
Christian Science, which closely follows the teachings of Jesus, shows that it is this same irresistible, liberating, obedience to our Master's command to give out divine Love - the greatest force in existence - that everyone needs today. For no matter how sore society's ills seem, unselfish giving is the answer. For us and for others.
We find such satisfaction in our own lives as we thus live to give instead of get. This is Christ's answer to not only lack of friendship but lack of worthwhile employment. Yes, it actually has a direct bearing on unemployment. How could it not, given that what God gave Jesus to give to us is powerful, corrective, applicable to all areas of human endeavor. The motive to bless instead of primarily receive will do wonderful things in our daily lives. God will see to it.
