In the general thought of the world today much energy is expended and much interest is expressed on the question of supply. Human needs are multitudinous. Governments, politicians, and many people in authority in various countries are striving to establish ways and means whereby mankind may find more harmony in daily living. Much progress has been made along these lines, but much remains to be done.
Through spiritual understanding, the student of Christian Science proves his coexistence with God. He learns that all real substance is Spirit and recognizes that the only way to bring about universal sufficiency is through spiritual, not material, means.
True comfort is to be found in the Lord's Prayer, the prayer which Jesus taught to his disciples. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy says (p. 16): "Our Master taught his disciples one brief prayer, which we name after him the Lord's Prayer. Our Master said, 'After this manner therefore pray ye,' and then he gave that prayer which covers all human needs." It is interesting to note that Mrs. Eddy uses the word "all." This word assures us that the supply is complete, with nothing lacking, a divine sufficiency for those who accept the revelation of Truth and obey God's commands.
A careful study of the Lord's Prayer, with its spiritual interpretation which is to be found on pages 16 and 17 of Science and Health, lifts thought away from the endeavor to find a remedy in materiality. With this spiritual foundation we can work out any problem, regardless of the human need, whether it is one of supply, health, or home.
Perhaps the human need is for a more advanced position or for an opportunity to bring one's talents into action. This need is met by one's knowing man to be in a good and valuable position in Mind. It is important for one to see God as man's only employer and to see business as the expression of integrity, activity, perspicacity, and service.
Discords, privations, difficulties, have no place in the kingdom of heaven, which is governed by the divine law of harmony. The power of God needs to be understood and applied to every situation. The omnipotence of Spirit is infinite, and healing reaches the very core of what appears to be a human problem.
The way to demonstrate an abundance of divine goodness is pointed out very clearly in the sixth chapter of Matthew. It is evident that Jesus was turning the thought of the people away from reliance upon matter as a means of meeting their needs. He counseled them to take no thought for what they ate, wore, or drank.
The Master concluded with this command and promise (verse 33): "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Everyone is included as beneficiaries, not just a few favored ones, but all who put God first in their lives and know themselves as actually His representatives.
To one endeavoring to prove his spiritual sufficiency, gratitude is a necessity. In the study of Christian Science one finds great comfort in the understanding of his divine sonship. He learns that God made man in His own image and likeness and is ever present to supply all man's needs. On page 507 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy says, "Spirit duly feeds and clothes every object, as it appears in the line of spiritual creation, thus tenderly expressing the fatherhood and motherhood of God."
It is easy to see that one of the offices of God, divine Love, is to give. As we look around we see this spiritual fact made manifest in innumerable ways: Love loves to give, loves to support all right ideas, all true purpose; Love gives right thoughts, wisdom, and intelligence; Love enfolds its ideas; Love's giving is rich and abundant, impartial, universal. As the sun sends forth its radiant beams on all, so does Love supply all ideas with sufficiency.
We find it essential to learn to give. Where do we commence? With ourselves. Christian Science teaches us day by day that we are in reality spiritual ideas, each idea having a perfect spiritual individuality. It teaches us to identify our thinking with divine completeness. It assures us of our coexistence with infinite harmony and perfection.
We learn to give ourselves Christian Science treatment and to use what Mrs. Eddy gives us in her writings regarding preserving and protecting ourselves. Thus do we fit ourselves to give to our brother men, with surety and confidence, the truth which brings freedom and joyous activity.
Christian Science tells us firmly that God is the one and only Mind governing man and the universe. In this Mind dwell all ideas, all action, all discernment, and all true feeling. It is good for the student of Christian Science to be assured that God is his Mind, that there is no other Mind, and that therefore only thoughts which emanate from this Mind have action, purpose, impulsion, and power.
As Christian Scientists we all love the Church of Christ, Scientist, and should always be ready to support it. When we realize something of the good we receive through our beloved Leader's revelation of Truth, we desire to see our brother men embracing these truths also, for we know that this is the only way of salvation. The true idea of Church is included in man's consciousness, and it is our privilege to recognize that everything essential for its existence is provided by divine Love.
In one branch church at the time of its annual meeting, the treasurer reported financial lack. One member rose and in her remarks said that no sense of debt, lack, or shortage can ever be associated with the divine structure which we understand to be Church. Then she proposed that at the next members' meeting, everyone should come prepared to wipe out this debt. This was seconded and carried unanimously.
When the collection was counted at the next meeting, it was found that more than the amount required had been received. Since that meeting this church has installed a new system of heating, given liberally to a relief fund, had some decorating done, and is now in a good financial position. These facts were recognized and claimed: that God gives infinite supply and that He is omnipresent.
Another very important aspect of God's supply is connected with health. Reading the testimonies given in our periodicals and listening to those given at the Wednesday testimony meetings as well as those given on the radio and television programs, we gain added confidence in the healing power of Truth and Love. The mission of Christian Science is to heal, and this is very sacred and important work. Healing illustrates Love's action and proves that God's will for His children is being done here and now. We must know that all beliefs of sickness are unreal, untrue, and powerless.
It is good to thank God for the ability to be able to perceive in some measure the presence of the healing Christ. Let us give to God all the glory. Let us be sure that our thinking is not adulterated. The healings we have experienced, and those we have seen others enjoy, have come about through radical reliance upon God, through spiritual understanding and obedience.
Man, God's reflection, is always healthy. He is in possession of the spiritual idea of health. In this idea is included all right action, movement, circulation, normality. Man is God-governed and God-controlled. Man manifests God's completeness. He is immune from all aggressive mental suggestions, for he lives and moves and has his being in the kingdom of heaven, where harmony is the ever-operative law.
Many promises are given in the Bible, and when these are trusted and utilized with spiritual understanding, the solution to every problem appears. Let us this moment accept and demonstrate the promise given in Philippians (4:19), "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
