To overcome lack

Lack has plagued mankind through the centuries. Not only shortage of basic material necessities -- food, shelter, clothing, employment -- but lack of companionship, lack of confidence, love, and joy. But the answer to privation of any kind is the spiritual fact of God's eternal provision for man. As a hymn expresses it: "Whatever He may guide me, No want shall turn me back; My Shepherd is beside me, And nothing can I lack." n1

n1 Christian Science Hymnal,m No. 148;

All through the Bible we find accounts of insufficiency overcome through turning to God for supply -- whether the need was for water in a desert, oil in a cruse, troops on a battlefield, or food to feed a multitude. In his Sermon on the Mount, Christ Jesus included this remarkable statement: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." n2 What wonderful and practical financial advice! We can't get rich in spiritual-mindedness without having it echoed in our lives. We can't be rich in gratitude, joy, and good works and remain poor in other respects -- not if we understand the spiritual source of good.

n2 Matthew 6:33;

"God gives you His spiritual ideas," writes the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, "and in turn, they give you daily supplies." n3 Our basic income is the inspired ideas, spiritual ideas, continually pouring in from our Father-Mother Mind. What are these ideas? Mrs. Eddy says, for example, "To love one's neighbor as one's self, is a divine idea. . . ." n4 Such ideas are unlimited and practical and, when applied, sufficient to begin overturning poverty.

n3 Miscellaneous Writings,m p. 307;

n4 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,m p. 88;

When we gain the true sense of substance as spiritual, unlimited, coming to us through divine intelligence, we will have enough. We will have direct access to the source of all true substance. And since "infinite" includes all, no one in reality is left out of the infinite good that is God. We have the privilege of seeing clearly every day the spiritual fact that each one who to material sense seems to be in want is really a son, a daughter, of God, cared for in His invariable love, full of joy, fulfillment, purposeful activity.

Financial reverses, injustice, loss -- none of these can set aside God's law of boundless supply. "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten," n5 we read in Joel. Even if the savings of years have been wiped out, we still can turn to our inexhaustible source and find restoration -- both of our joy and, inevitably, of all else we need.

n5 Joel 2:25;

It helps dispel the darkness of inadequacy to realize the illuminating truth that man lacks nothing that is good because he is God's own spiritual child, reflecting perfection. Every immortal idea of Mind comes equipped with eternal supply. As parents realize this, they will feel less burdened by the responsibility of clothing, feeding, and educating their children. As the Psalmist expressed it, "I removed his shoulder from the burden." n6 It lifts the personal sense of burden to see God as the provider and preserver of all His children, including ourselves.

n6 Psalms 81:6;

We have a wealthy Father, we're heirs to God's countless divine ideas. That's reason enough for following Paul's pattern -- "being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; . . . giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." n7

n7 Colossians 1:10, 12.

DAILY BIBLE VERSE Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over . Luke 6:38

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