the contradictory theory of a Father who
requires prayer before caring for his children, an almighty God who will
be turned from his course by human petitions. Man can do wonders in the
way of conquering nature, but he has not been able to alter natural
laws, nor is there any evidence that such laws have been changed at any
time in answer to prayer.

If the Lord's Prayer is not essential for man's welfare in the world, we
may conclude that Jesus over-emphasized its importance.

One of the most important portions of the Sermon on the Mount is the
advice regarding worldly possessions. Nothing in the teaching of Jesus
is more definite than his instructions regarding wealth. He strikes an
admirable note when he says, "What is a man profited if he gain the
whole world and lose his own soul? ... A man's life consisteth not in
the abundance of the things which he possesseth." This general principle
is sadly needed in the modern money-seeking world, but the teachings of
Jesus on economics go much further, far beyond anything the best people
of today are willing to follow.

"Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall
drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on ... Take therefore no
thought for the morrow."[29]

These commands, taken literally as Jesus intended, would lead to
infinite trouble. Men are obliged to take thought for the morrow; if
they do not they will fail to survive. In Jesus' plan provision for the
earthly future was of no importance because of the imminence of eternal
life, but now it is considered one's duty to provide for old age.

This mistake of Jesus cannot be explained away by saying that Jesus was
right and that man falls short of the counsel of perfection given by
the Master. No, there are few indeed who will say that it would be right
to shape their financial life as Jesus advised. If they do not believe
it right to follow his instructions, definite as they are on this
subject, they must admit that he was wrong. Either thrift is now
unrighteous, or Jesus is not a dependable guide for modern life.

The following instructions have little meaning now except for Roman
Catholics. "But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy
face, that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which
is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee
openly."

Another portion of the Sermon holds out false hopes that cannot be
substantiated: "For