Giving and receiving

The story of the building of the extension of The Mother Church is very inspiring. What were the thoughts of Christian Scientists then, as they pledged "with startling grace" (Eddy, p.9) the extraordinary sum of up to two million dollars to see it through to its completion?

Perhaps the following thoughts, among many other, were in their hearts: immense gratitude for Christian Science and its Leader; a practical knowledge that this building was needed to accommodate the large numbers of worshippers; and an overflowing love for God because they had been healed!

Mrs. Eddy's response to the pledge was swift and to the point, and based on the teachings of St. Paul: "Behold, now is the accepted time." Eddy tells us that "A lost opportunity is the greatest of losses." The word now is an interesting one. It means: at the present time or moment; immediately or at once; at this time; as matters stand (Macquarie Pocket Dictionary).

Let's take a look at Paul's sentence, with help from Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/2%20Corinthians%206:2

2 Corinthians 6:2 (CEV) |

That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.

 

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ERV) | 

I tell you that the “right time” is now. The “day of salvation” is now.

 

2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (MSG) | ...now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped.

 

No putting it off. This is the moment. There is no other moment in which to act but right now. We can't act yesterday or tomorrow, a moment ago or in a moment's time. We can only act now. God, Mind, IS now, eternally. And students of Christian Science have grown to love "We own no past, no future, we possess only now. If the reliable now is carelessly lost in speaking or in acting,..." (p. 12).

 

These faithful adherents were told that their generosity would be returned to them by God (p. 13: 29). There would be no loss, reiterating the promise of Malachi Chapter 3 that our grateful, happy and needed generosity will result in bountiful blessings. I like how Eugene Petersen puts it in The Message:

 

Malachi 3:8-11 (MSG) | 

^8-11 “Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day.
“You ask, ‘How have we robbed you?’...
“Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams."

Now...and then...

Julie Swannell