“What hast thou in the house?”

In II Kings there is related the story of a widow who went to the prophet Elisha saying that her husband was dead, and that a creditor had come to take her two sons to be bondmen. When the prophet asked her what she had in the house, she replied, “Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” Thereupon the prophet told her to “borrow not a few” empty vessels from her neighbors, that she might fill them with oil; to shut the door; to sell the oil, thereby gaining the wherewithal to pay her debt; and to live on the rest.

Let us consider this story in the light of Christian Science; for its spiritual intent is to give comfort, hope, faith, understanding, freedom, and love.

Knowing that the prophet had power with God, the widow, whose husband had been one of “the sons of the prophets,” willingly and trustfully turned to him for help. Are we as willing to turn to God for assistance and guidance —to God, who has been and is a very present help in need? Are we willing to turn from our own outlining, to approach Him with true humility, and to accept with unprejudiced attitude the truth as set forth in Christian Science? If so, we shall be blessed and rewarded with good.

To each one the question presents itself, “What hast thou in the house?” Of what does our thinking consist—thoughts of care, anxiety, lack, discouragement, sickness, sorrow? Even though these may seem to hold sway, surely if we look deeper we shall find at least something of prayer, hope, faith in good, kindness, love, in our consciousness. The false beliefs do not give comfort or hope; nay, they cause discomfort and hopelessness. But the true thoughts do bring comfort; they strengthen; they encourage. They are the pot of oil with which to fill the empty vessels. In “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” (p. 592) Mrs. Eddy defines “oil” as “consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration.”

What does Christian Science teach us about wrong thoughts? It teaches that God, divine Mind, is infinitely good—is All. False, comfortless thoughts are not good; and as they are not from divine Mind, they are therefore unreal, having no true existence. They are mere belief, without foundation, source, or origin: they are nothing.

Because false thoughts are unreal,— nothing, —cannot the question, “What hast thou in the house?” be scientifically answered by saying with the widow, There is “not anything in the house, save a pot of oil”? That is, in reality man reflects only the qualities of divine Love.

Let us, then, close the door of thought upon all false suggestions, and fill our consciousness with good thoughts that reflect God. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, what soever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

With good, true, and loving thoughts let us go about in our respective homes and vocations selling—practicing and putting into active use—the inspiration gained from communion with God, good.

“If on our daily course, our mind
Be set, to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.”

If on this daily course of ours we meet with envy, impatience, unjust criticism, selfishness, we can know these to be empty vessels, thoughts devoid of love and truth. Recognizing our opportunity, we should fill our thoughts with forgiveness, kindness, and love.

The prophet told the widow to “borrow not a few” empty vessels. Our demonstrations of good should not be limited. Let us apply the truth to every false suggestion that would enter our mentality. Let us not be satisfied with partial success, but let us give forth more and more abundantly of pure, loving thoughts, until in our own thinking divine Truth shall have filled all empty vessels.

Then, as we go forth applying the truth, maintaining Christlike thinking, we shall cancel our debt in accordance with Paul’s admonition, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another.” This activity of good satisfies the hungering heart, and increases our spiritual understanding.

How well the prophet knew that the widow could “live … of the rest”! As one gains the spiritual understanding of God as Life, one becomes aware of the heavenly inspiration flowing into the waiting consciousness, awakening a host of good impulses that lift thought to a higher and clearer realization of the ever present abundance and comfort of divine Love, and of the continuity of Life.

The one pot of oil, through the demonstration of God’s law, filled many empty vessels. So the good which may seem to be least in our thought will by prayer, meditation, and ministry unfold into new hopes, broader vision, freshness, health, joy, plenty, and higher ideals. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 15 of Science and Health: “Christians rejoice in secret beauty and bounty, hidden from the world, but known to God. Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers. Practice not profession, understanding not belief, gain the ear and right hand of omnipotence and they assuredly call down infinite blessings.”