I will now treat it more from the outer or practical side, the latter
being, of course, just as important as the former.

The teaching of this chapter does not discourage industry and thrift,
far from it. After the Lord Christ had fed the five thousand, all
the leavings were carefully collected so that nothing should be
wasted. This is in accord with Universal law. There is a law of
economy both in the natural and spiritual worlds. Nature appears,
on the surface, to be very wasteful and prodigal, but, actually, she
never wastes anything, if it can be avoided. Therefore, the action
of the disciples was in accord with universal law. What a lesson for
us! To be careful and saving is a mark of superiority both in mind
and character. The wastefulness of the helpless poor is notorious.
Those who are "well to do" are far more careful and conserving than
the very poor. There are exceptions, it is true, but the rule is that
a man who cannot save money has not it in him to command success in
life. Inability to deny himself certain things shows a weakness of
character and lack of purpose which make success impossible. Two men
that I knew very well built fortunes upon P5, which they saved out
of meagre earnings. It is always the start that is difficult: if you
cannot overcome the preliminary difficulties you have not the
steadfast purpose to hold your own in the battle of life. On the other
hand, once the initial difficulties have been overcome, it is not
difficult to get your barque into the currents of prosperity. When
once you realize that there is unlimited abundance in which you can
share: when once you learn to live in the consciousness of this
abundance, at the same time living within your present income and
doing your present work as well as it is possible for it to be done,
you have set out on the path to affluence. One who realizes and really
believes that there is abundance and plenty for _him_, puts into