“Thou shalt not covet”

Whether we were privileged to attend the Christian Science Sunday School or not, we nevertheless have the “first lessons” to learn: and one of these is, “Thou shalt not covet.” As Christian Scientists, we perhaps think we are now immune from covetousness, because we see the folly of setting our hearts on material objects, certainly on those of our neighbor. We have come to see in a degree that true substance is spiritual, and that material objects, such as money, clothes, and so on, cannot bring enduring happiness.

But what of our neighbor’s spiritual attainments? Do we covet them? When we see some one’s enlarged capacity, his freer step, his more joyful outlook, do we not think, Why cannot I attain these? Here the error is a little more subtle and, unconsciously perhaps, we long for the good which our neighbor has attained. The possible struggle through which he went, the evil which he forsook in acquiring his spiritual good, we lose sight of, and vainly wish that his good might come to us. How impossible such a desire! The reward he has received, he has earned. We may be sure he did not get it by chance or by special favor, for “God is no respecter of persons.” Even though our neighbor were willing to transfer his reward to us, he could not do so. Good is not transferable from one person to another. The good which an individual can gain comes to him from God. He gets it, moreover, not as a special gift from the “Father of lights,” but as the effect of righteous living. Good has always existed; it lies at hand—is ever present; but it comes into one’s experience only as one allows evil belief to be dispensed with

The very fact that one has gone forward in the gaining of Spiritual qualities is proof positive that he has relinquished something of false selfhood. Perhaps it was pride, self-pity, self-love; in any case, it was a measure of worldliness that he surrendered. It probably meant a struggle; but, once attained, the good which he has gained is his, his reward from on high, his demonstrated heritage, a possession waiting for all men alike, but bestowed only on those who are willing to pay the price,—the forsaking of materiality. “Christ cannot come to mortal and material sense, which sees not God. This false sense of substance must yield to His eternal presence, and so dissolve,” as we read in the chapter on The Saviour’s Mission (p. 60) in Mrs. Eddy’s book, “Unity of Good.”

When the elder brother complained that his father was bestowing more good on the prodigal son who had returned home than on him, the father made the gracious reply, “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” Then when we see another taking a progressive step, there is no reason for us to envy or covet, or even to be discouraged. If we would make that friend’s experience ours, we must take our own steps to God. And we should rejoice that one more barrier has been broken down, making it just that much easier for mankind as a whole to rise out of itself. Men seem to be engulfed in materiality; yet their only escape is to forsake it, and to strive for and hold fast to spiritual good. Money cannot buy it. Will-power cannot force it. The deliverance is open to all men; and joy comes with the overcoming. Who, then, can hinder you?

Not only is it well for us to examine our own thought to ascertain whether we are cherishing any covetousness of the good our neighbor is gaining; it is equally important for us to guard well the good we ourselves have gained, knowing it to have come from God alone, and therefore possible of permanent possession. When one has labored long and struggled hard and has attained, then is the time to stand on guard “that no man take thy crown.” Mrs. Eddy warns us in “Miscellaneous Writings,” when she says on page 280, “The doors of animal magnetism open wide for the entrance of error, sometimes just at the moment when you are ready to enter on the fruition of your labors, and with laudable ambition are about to chant hymns of victory for triumphs.” And in the next line she explains, “The doors that this animal element flings open are those of rivalry, jealousy, envy, revenge.” The clearer vision, the purified activity, the enlarged capacity, must be maintained. And there is no need for fear. All men are capable of fulfilling the requirements given in the Bible of doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with their God.

What is my neighbor gaining of spiritual good? “What is that to thee?” Rather should we ask, What am I gaining of spiritual good by my own effort? Am I daily surrendering evil beliefs, clinging fast to Truth, and allowing God to give the increase of good? Advancing Christian Scientists, are we holding our ground? Are we barricading our doors against this thief, the false belief of covetousness? Are we humble? Are we learning to love God, and our neighbor as ourselves?