Article May 27, 1939 Issue

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.

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