The question of sufficient provision is constantly recurring to humanity. In Christian Science one finds a demonstrable and satisfying answer. It is necessarily a spiritual answer and relates adequately to both reason and inspiration.

This Science teaches that God, divine Mind, creates, sustains, and governs His idea, man. Since God is All, He knows only completeness. If He could create man and then leave him to provide precariously for himself, His work would be incomplete and not in accordance with the unceasing and invariable tenderness expressed by the Father-Mother Love.

God's spiritual universe, including man, is complete and intact. Nothing can be added nor anything taken away. The Scriptural summary of this is found in Genesis: "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." ^{Gen 1:31;} In human experience, however, the suggestion is always coming up in one form or another that God's work is not complete. Mortals seem to have either too much or too little. There may be an abundance of money but a lack of good health or vice versa. Lack, though, by whatever name it may be known, is simply the manifestation of ignorance and lack of application of the ever-present law of supply, or spiritual substance. The necessity is to be aware of just what true supply is and how to lay hold upon it.

Many people, believing in God but not understanding His nature, pray earnestly for needed things. When they receive no perceptible answer to their prayers, they become discouraged, perhaps embittered. And yet we have been taught that God answers prayer. Why, then, this state of inaction? It is because God is being asked for something He does not know and therefore cannot give. It would not be considered intelligent to go to a store where books are sold and insist that a motorboat be brought out for our inspection. In our prayers we must first be sure that we are asking God for that which He has created and knows—spiritual ideas.

The Bible teaches that God is Spirit and that therefore His creation is spiritual. In Christian Science we also learn of man that "he is the compound idea of God, including all right ideas." ^{Science and Health, p. 475;} It must be true, then, that God's man is aware of spiritual ideas and actively expresses them. Therefore we pray scientifically when we ask confidently to perceive the already existent right ideas that we may intelligently utilize them. This prayer will unquestionably be answered. Mrs. Eddy tells us. "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 307;}

Does not Christ Jesus tell us the same thing when he says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you"? ^{Matt. 6:33;} Again, he says, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." ^{Luke 12:32;} He proved throughout his ministry that God always answers righteous prayer and supplies the right ideas that meet our human need.

In the wilderness the suggestion came to Jesus to attempt to satisfy his hunger by turning stones into bread. Who has not at one time or another been fooled by the stones of materiality, the temptation to find satisfaction in material things, only eventually to find their uninspiring and unsatisfying nature? One has then found himself famished for the true bread—spiritual, sufficient, and satisfying. Jesus through divine wisdom quickly refused to entertain this temptation. He therefore did not through false belief prolong this desert experience. Many individuals, though, tend to linger much too long in the aridness of self-deception.

When we have asked for spiritual ideas and have received them, what is the next step? The right use of the ideas. Jesus showed us this throughout his earthly mission. And how can we be sure we are using spiritual ideas in the right way? There is one sure test. Let us ask ourselves, "Will this course of action glorify God and result in good for our neighbor as well as ourselves?" If we can answer this question affirmatively, we can be sure we are on the right track. And if we ask for wisdom, a divine quality, the Bible promises that we shall receive it.

When divine ideas have met the human need is the whole problem of supply then solved? No, because the real and permanent achievement is to let the right sense of substance continually unfold in our thinking. Herein is no possibility of current or future lack. In this way our efforts undergo a great change, for instead of being concerned mainly with the outward symbols, we have an increasing interest in the ideas themselves and the spirituality they impart. Thus we are led ever upward to the source of good, divine Mind.

In spiritual interest and preoccupation thought is turned from watching for effects to the truth that continually asserts its beneficent influence in our lives. This brings constant healing and regeneration. In this understanding there is an unshakable assurance of infinite provision, a house "founded upon a rock." ^{Matt. 7:25.}