Supply

Ella W. Hoag

It seems almost strange that through all the ages men have looked upon senseless matter as the source of supply as well as the supply itself. They have believed almost universally that their very existence has been dependent on this selfsame supply of matter. Often they have called this needed supply money, as they have believed that with money they might purchase the other material things supposedly necessary to subsistence. And yet how foolish all this so-called dependence is when viewed in the light of what men denominate even ordinary intelligence!

So far as money is concerned, a very little thought will show that all of it put together would be absolutely without a vestige of even seeming power were not some degree of intelligence apparent wherewith to make use of it. What would all the money in all the banks amount to if piled up in some inaccessible place? It could neither move itself about, make itself known, nor proclaim itself of value. It therefore follows that without thought, or thinking, any material supply, even to our present sense, would be without practical worth, without activity, without any claim to power.

Let us suppose two men are given an equal amount of money. One exercises no intelligence in its use, but spends it foolishly—"throwing it away," as the saying goes. The other expresses wisdom in the expenditure, making every penny count. How different the results! It is not, therefore, so much the amount of money one may seem to have as the intelligence he expresses in its use which determines whether a certain supply is adequate or inadequate; whether plenty or penury seems present. One whose material desires are few and properly controlled may feel far richer with pence than one with millions of dollars whose personal wishes outrun his millions.

Another reason why men are afraid of lack and limitation is that they generally begin at the wrong end of their problems to work them out. They commence by looking at what they consider their wants and then calculate how much will be necessary to supply those wants. They even ask God for such supply; but they receive not, because, as James says, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."

There is just one sense of lack that men should be concerned about—the lack of true intelligence; for this implies failure to understand God, good; while with this lack supplied all good becomes possible to all. Who would imagine for a moment that he could ever lack anything if he were always assured of possessing a perfect supply of that divine intelligence which is infinitely good?

There is just one way in which men may become conscious of such intelligence, and that is through learning to understand and demonstrate their unity with the divine Mind as revealed in Christian Science. Whosoever, therefore, looks to divine Mind for intelligence will never suffer lack; he will never be left without all abundance. Jesus proved this perfectly. He never sought matter, but prayed only for divine intelligence, for intelligence to use in God's own wise way the good always at hand. With this intelligence he multiplied the loaves and fishes, found money in a fish's mouth, brought hearing to the deaf, feet to the lame, sight to the blind, health to the sick, life to the dead.

James teaches plainly that this same intelligence is for all who seek it in the same way. He says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." The very word "supply" means to furnish with what is wanted or needed; and where can men look for this but to the infinite Giver of all good? Paul tells us, "My God shall supply all your need." And in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 186), our beloved Leader renews and emphasizes this promise when she writes, "Rest assured that He in whom dwelleth all life, health, and holiness, will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory."

The winning of the understanding of divine intelligence and of our perpetual unity therewith brings the ability always to know what to do and how to do it; it makes possible for us the solution of every problem pertaining to human existence, to know how to heal the most difficult case in Christian Science practice; it certainly means the way out of every human sense of limitation. This understanding must inevitably silence every belief in lack. Then let us lift up our hearts with thanksgiving that infinite supply is to be found in reflecting divine knowing, and the blessed assurance that God is always causing such reflection must be to every claim of lack the necessary and effectual "Peace, be still"!

Ella W. Hoag

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