Supply Understood and Demonstrated

HERBERT L. STANDEVEN

The story of the widow who was about to have her two sons sold into bondage for a debt, is related in the fourth chapter of II Kings. When the widow in her grief applied to Elisha for relief, he inquired of her, "What hast thou in the house?" The widow, thinking in terms of materiality, answered Elisha, "Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil." Elisha directed the widow to borrow all of her neighbors' vessels, then to go into her house, shut the door, and pour.

Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has defined "oil," on page 592 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," as "consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration."

Those who are relying upon materiality for their supply are not realizing the spiritual import of Elisha's question. When we are asked what we have in our house, we may answer, Nothing; or we may say that we are business or professional men and women, tradesmen, salesmen, farmers, or mechanics, and that there is not enough business in our line of activity to enable us to make a living; or we may argue that competition in our line of business is so keen that we do not have the necessary opportunities to use our talents. In doing so, we are submitting to the arguments of mortal mind that mesmerize people into thinking they are suffering from inactivity and lack. Those who submit to these arguments do not realize that real substance is Mind, that God is unlimited, that all good proceeds from God, divine Mind, and that He supplies all good. Those who rely upon materiality for supply are not trusting God.

God supplies His ideas to His children. In Christian Science we learn that God is the only cause and creator, and that, therefore, He is the source of all supply. In "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy states (p. 307): "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment." Our first need, then, is the right understanding of God and man. As this understanding unfolds in our consciousness, and we reflect God's ideas, these spiritual ideas will in turn supply our needs. But as long as mankind believe that matter is substance, they will be subject to the false beliefs of lack, poverty, limitation, and despair.

Paul writes, "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." A right understanding of man's relationship to God blesses not only ourselves, but all with whom we come in contact. Mrs. Eddy has clearly stated this truth on page 206 of Science and Health as follows: "In the scientific relation of God to man, we find that whatever blesses one blesses all, as Jesus showed with the loaves and the fishes,—Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply." The understanding that God is the source of supply is confirmed by the twenty-third Psalm, as interpreted on page 578 of Science and Health.

In order to demonstrate our daily supply, we must stop listening to the subtle, erroneous suggestion of limitation, or the false belief that matter is substance. This false concept of supply must be replaced by a right understanding of God and His law of abundance. This law is spiritual, and never ceases to operate. When understood, it replaces fear with confidence, worry with peace, inactivity with activity, unemployment with employment, poverty with plenty, depression with spiritual joy. This is the brithright of the children of God. Let us accept our birthright and be free.

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