We hereby continue the methodical study of "The Gospel According to Spiritism" by Allan Kardec, the third of the works of the Kardecian Pentateuch. The first edition was published in April, 1864. The answers to the questions suggested for discussion are at the end of the text below.
Questions for discussion
A. How does Spiritism explain Jesus' statement: "First of all seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness"?
B. Will there come a day when the Earth will not produce enough for everyone?
C. What is the purpose of Spiritism when it propagates the practice of charity?
D. What did Jesus mean by: "Do not be concerned in providing gold or silver in your purse"?
Reading text
324. Jesus mainly approached the poor and underprivileged, because they are the ones most in need of consolation, as well as the blind, meek and in good faith, because they ask for their sight and not the proud who think they possess all the light and presume they need nothing. (Chapter XXIV, section 12.)
325. These words, like so many others, find their true application in Spiritism because some are surprised to see that mediunity is granted to unworthy people, capable of misusing it. They say that one would think that such a precious gift should be an exclusive quality of those with the highest merit. (Chapter XXIV, section 12.)
326. To begin, let us say that mediunity is inherent to an organic formation and any man can be provided with it, in the same way he has the ability to see, to hear, to speak. Due to man's free will, he can always misuse it. (Chapter XXIV, section 12.)
327. If only the worthiest had the power to communicate with the Spirits, which one of us would have the courage to want it? How could we define where dignity stops and indignity begins, or vice-versa? Mediunity is equally granted to all of us, so that the Spirits can enlighten all levels, social classes, rich and poor, the righteous and the vicious. Are not the latter that need a doctor? Why would God deprive them of His help to remove them from their muddy lives? (Chapter XXIV, section 12.)
328. Mediunity does not necessarily imply in usual relations with the superior Spirits. It is only an ability to serve as a more or less malleable instrument to the Spirits in general. Therefore, the good medium is not the one, which communicates easily, but the one that is pleasant to the good Spirits and only receives assistance from them. Only in this sense does the excellence of moral qualities become almighty regarding mediunity. (Chapter XXIV, section 12.)
329. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Which one of you, being a father, will give a stone to his son, who makes request for bread? Or for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him for it?" (Matthew, VII, 7-11.) (Chapter XXV, section 1.)
330. From an earthly point of view, the maximum: Seek and you shall find is similar to this other: Help yourself, and heaven will help you. It is the principle of the labor law and therefore the law of progress, because progress is a consequence of labor, since it sets into motion the forces of intelligence. (Chapter XXV, section 2.)
331. In a large number of people, and during the course of their lives, very little is seen concerning their personal development. That is why Humanity only advances due to pre-existence and survival of the soul. (Chapter XXV, section 2.)
332. If souls left everyday never to return, Humanity would have to renew itself continuously with the primitive elements and would have to learn and to do everything from the very beginning. In this case, there would be no reason for man to consider himself more advanced than he was in the early ages of the world, since at each birth he would have to start his intellectual work all over. (Chapter XXV, section 2.)
333. Instead, when the soul returns with the development it had already acquired, it is able to advance even more at each time. Therefore, the soul goes gradually from the stage of barbarism to the one of material civilization and then it reaches the phase of moral civilization. (Chapter XXV, section 2.)
Answers to the proposed questions
A. How does Spiritism explain Jesus' statement: "First of all seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness"?
The words of Jesus are an allegorical reference to Providence, which never abandons those who rely on it, however wanting in return that they make their part. In fact, the Father always helps us through spiritual benefactors, when we are in difficulty, inspiring ideas for us to overcome the hardships and difficulties that we have ahead of us along our journey. (The Gospel According to Spiritism, Chapter XXV, sections 6 to 8.)
B. Will there come a day when the Earth will not produce enough for everyone?
No. Earth will always produce enough to feed all its inhabitants, if men, according to the laws of justice, charity, and love of neighbor, know how to administer the goods it gives us. When fraternity reigns among the nations, in the same manner it reigns among provinces of the same empire, the superfluous moment of one will supply the insufficient moment of the other, and each one will have what he needs. (Ibid, Chapter XXV, section 8.)
C. What is the purpose of Spiritism when it propagates the practice of charity?
Laws do not rule charity and fraternity. If you do not feel them in your heart, selfishness will always reign. It is up to Spiritism to touch peoples' hearts with charity and fraternity, showing the true meaning of charity and the benefits of its practice towards people, society, and the planet where we live. (Ibid, Chapter XXV, section 8.)
D. What did Jesus mean by: "Do not be concerned in providing gold or silver in your purse"?
Beyond its literal meaning, these words hold a deep moral sense. Jesus taught us that there are things in life, much more important, and which a thief cannot steal from us, neither moth can destroy them. They are the spiritual values, which we keep forever, while gold and silver, and all material things are not permanent values and do not belong to us. Therefore, we will have to leave them behind when we return to our real life. (Ibid, Chapter XXV, sections 9 to 11.)
