Well, yes and no. Yes, if we realize that the gold mine is our spiritual understanding of God as the true source and substance of all we need. No, because he firmly denounces man's "adamant belief in the power of material money as substance" (p. 194).
Simonsen speaks from his experience of working (as a Christian Science practitioner) with patients over a forty-one year period! This work, he tells us, included "careful and prayerful analysis of the many forms of error attacking each individual, and how to successfully meet and master these erroneous claims in Truth" (p. 188).
He thoroughly investigates his subject! What follows here is a raw summary of some of the topics he covers. Dear book clubbers are invited to study the book itself to learn the subject fully.
He thoroughly investigates his subject! What follows here is a raw summary of some of the topics he covers. Dear book clubbers are invited to study the book itself to learn the subject fully.
Money is but a symbol (p. 198, 206 on)
The clarity with which he enunciates that money is but a symbol of the true spiritual idea of supply is illuminating. For instance he explains that money symbolises, among other things:
- exchange between men and nations
- appreciation
- honesty
- justice
- righteousness
- give and take of brotherly love
- valueChildren (pp. 196-198)
The passages here cover parental concern about how they will provide for their unborn child.
Business (p. 199)
"...all business is God's business and always successful" says the writer.
Church (p. 200)
Simonsen points to Malachi 3:10 and the promise of "a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Joy (p. 201)
Nehemiah 8:10 "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet...neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Sin (p. 211)
"This true and correct understanding - realizing God as his substance and supply - causes man to lose his sense of envy, jealousy, covetousness..."
A real man vs entitlement (p. 149)
When Mary Baker Eddy invited Simonsen to attend Normal Class, she could have offered him free tuition, but she did not. Rev. Simonsen used this as the springboard to his full demonstration of the problem of substance and supply. He could no longer rely on the former entitlements due to him as a clergyman. Better, he could now "play the part of a real man, and pay [his] own way".
Pay the price (pp. 218 - 220)
Any good result requires attention in the lead-up. Simonsen offers two Biblical examples: the "rich young man" (Matthew 19) and the man, Job - see the book of Job in the Old Testament. Both had to learn to turn wholeheartedly to God and to give up their trust in material possessions.
Set aside your human circumstances (p. 222 - 224)
What if our background is humble? Do we too, aspire to understand and accept as ours, true substance and supply? Simonsen assures us this is possible, and he cites the abilities of the "humble sheep-herder", Moses, as well as the fishermen-disciples, to develop and shine and thus bless the world for generations.
No one is more or less important than another. Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Is not a man metaphysically and mathematically number one, a unit, and therefore whole number, governed and protected by his divine Principle, God?...one is as important a factor as duodecillions in being and doing right..." (Pulpit and Press p. 4).
Are we ready to receive, appreciate and use this abundance? (p. 225 - 228)
Simonsen reminds his readers that one must be "in a proper mental and spiritual condition to receive, appreciate, and make proper use of the abundance of all good" because what is received must be paid for. Who has not heard of sad stories where a rich inheritance or monetary windfall resulted in a state worse than before the so called fortune came?
Simonsen reminds us of Jesus teaching, in his sobering parable of the Prodigal Son. Further, he suggests that both poor and rich must be "willing to have the tares of human will, selfishness, self-will, self-seeking, self-justification, self-indulgence, hate, and malice cleared out, roots and all; and to be purged of greed, lust, love of money etc."
Unceasing vigilance (p. 229)
- avoid being "influenced...by mortal man, mortal mind ideas or promises...as substance or supply"
- "lean only on God"
- "abstain from murmuring and pitying [oneself], not only audibly, but in the innermost chambers of [the] heart"
- "stop outlining ways and means"
- be "grateful for this purifying process"
"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:8
Julie Swannell
Pay the price (pp. 218 - 220)
Any good result requires attention in the lead-up. Simonsen offers two Biblical examples: the "rich young man" (Matthew 19) and the man, Job - see the book of Job in the Old Testament. Both had to learn to turn wholeheartedly to God and to give up their trust in material possessions.
Set aside your human circumstances (p. 222 - 224)
What if our background is humble? Do we too, aspire to understand and accept as ours, true substance and supply? Simonsen assures us this is possible, and he cites the abilities of the "humble sheep-herder", Moses, as well as the fishermen-disciples, to develop and shine and thus bless the world for generations.
No one is more or less important than another. Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Is not a man metaphysically and mathematically number one, a unit, and therefore whole number, governed and protected by his divine Principle, God?...one is as important a factor as duodecillions in being and doing right..." (Pulpit and Press p. 4).
Are we ready to receive, appreciate and use this abundance? (p. 225 - 228)
Simonsen reminds his readers that one must be "in a proper mental and spiritual condition to receive, appreciate, and make proper use of the abundance of all good" because what is received must be paid for. Who has not heard of sad stories where a rich inheritance or monetary windfall resulted in a state worse than before the so called fortune came?
Simonsen reminds us of Jesus teaching, in his sobering parable of the Prodigal Son. Further, he suggests that both poor and rich must be "willing to have the tares of human will, selfishness, self-will, self-seeking, self-justification, self-indulgence, hate, and malice cleared out, roots and all; and to be purged of greed, lust, love of money etc."
Unceasing vigilance (p. 229)
- avoid being "influenced...by mortal man, mortal mind ideas or promises...as substance or supply"
- "lean only on God"
- "abstain from murmuring and pitying [oneself], not only audibly, but in the innermost chambers of [the] heart"
- "stop outlining ways and means"
- be "grateful for this purifying process"
"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:8
Julie Swannell
1 comment:
Deborah Huebsch shares a lovely example of how God met her specific need in her article, "The promise of the seed", in the January edition of The Christian Science Journal.
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