True Benevolence – a talk given by our administrator, Brad Stock

February 26, 2025

We are here to demonstrate the power of divine Love. This Love is the heart and soul of Christian Science, and it is expressed through active benevolence.

Mary Baker Eddy makes it clear that benevolence is every Christian Scientist’s job description: “A Christian Scientist is a humanitarian; he is benevolent, forgiving, long-suffering, and seeks to overcome evil with good” (Manual 46–47).

The dictionary defines benevolence as “the disposition to do good; good will; kindness; charitableness; the love of mankind.” Benevolence includes affection and compassion, but it goes far beyond mere human qualities. Divine Love meeting the human need is God’s active benevolence. We express His benevolence and reflect it back to Him and to each other. This benevolence is the impulse of God’s spirit moving in our hearts. In that sense, benevolence is so much more than financial assistance. Prayer is true benevolence. Christian Science nursing and healing are active expressions of true benevolence.

Mrs. Eddy sets forth two laws that help us demonstrate true benevolence and have special application to Christian Science nursing. First: “If we turn away from the poor, we are not ready to receive the reward of Him who blesses the poor” (Science and Health 8). Second: “Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us” (79). These twin laws are practical. They transform, renew, heal, and enable us to live fuller lives devoted to Christian service. Violating these laws truncates our demonstration, mission, and ministry.

Think of Peter, John, and the lame man at the gate. “Silver and gold have I none,” says Peter, “but such as I have, give I thee” (Acts 3:6). And the lame man walks. This is benevolence. Think of how Paul describes charity in I Corinthians 13: “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, . . . and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” Paul says Christian charity or benevolence is patient, kind; free of envy or pride; thinks no evil; rejoices in the truth; endures, believes, hopes always—charity (or benevolence) never fails.

Is Paul’s benevolence too spiritual to be practical? Too ethereal to be any earthly good? Or is Paul describing the fundamental logic of how God governs His universe? As John puts it: “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand” (John 3:35). This is the universal nature of God’s benevolence, and it is our ability to reflect His benevolence that impels us to lead lives of Christian service.

In 1908, Mrs. Eddy was impelled to give us two new expressions of benevolence: The Christian Science Monitor and Christian Science nursing.

Initially, opposition to the Monitor was intense inside the movement. Key workers thought Mrs. Eddy’s plan was too ambitious, too expensive, too soon, too religious. Despite this opposition, Mrs. Eddy gave the world a news organization that would “spread undivided the Science that operates unspent” and would “injure no man, but bless all mankind” (Miscellany 353). In other words, The Christian Science Monitor was founded on a mission of pure benevolence.

Also in 1908, Mrs. Eddy wrote a by-law setting forth her complete standard for Christian Science nursing. A year later, she wrote another by-law requiring The Mother Church to build and run a nursing facility. Again, her plan was opposed as being too difficult, too costly, too benevolent. In this case, Mrs. Eddy allowed The Mother Church to postpone the facility project. However, in 1916 the Directors complied with our Leader’s request and built The Christian Science Benevolent Association at Chestnut Hill.

As we ponder the nature of the Monitor and Christian Science nursing, are we ever tempted to believe that the work is too difficult, too expensive, too human in its ways and means, too benevolent? Or do we see that these twin vehicles for good embody the transformative, renewing power of true benevolence? Do we believe Mrs. Eddy: “The spiritual power of a scientific, right thought, without a direct effort, an audible or even a mental argument, has oftentimes healed inveterate diseases” (Rudimental Divine Science 9)? Isn’t that the natural effect of all Christlike benevolence? Isn’t that the fuller potential of a Christian Science nursing that goes far beyond human caregiving?

In two places in Miscellaneous Writings, Mrs. Eddy urges us to recognize the transformative power of unselfed love or benevolence:

The human affections need to be changed from self to benevolence and love for God and man; changed to having but one God and loving Him supremely, and helping our brother man. This change of heart is essential to Christianity, and will have its effect physically as well as spiritually, healing disease. (50)

The reformer has no time to give in defense of his own life’s incentive, since no sacrifice is too great for the silent endurance of his love. What has not unselfed love achieved for the race? All that ever was accomplished, and more than history has yet recorded. . . . Who should care for everybody? It is enough, say they, to care for a few. Yet the good done, and the love that foresees more to do, stimulate philanthropy and are an ever-present reward. Let one’s life answer well these questions, and it already hath a benediction:
Have you renounced self? Are you faithful? Do you love? (238)