No lack

We came out of the bank in a state of shock. Mortgage costs, interest rates, and lawyers' fees whirled around in my head. The cost of living was just too much. I felt poor even thinking about the monthly payments involved. Standing in the rain, I objected to taking a taxi. We couldn't afford one, I told my husband; we should walk!

Back home the next day I began to pray about our needs. I thought of Christ Jesus' wilderness experience. After he had fasted forty days and nights, the devil tempted him to change stones into bread. The Master answered, referring to the Scriptures, ''Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'' n1

n1 Matthew 4:4.

It's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our provision comes entirely from material goods; that we can relax if we have a big bank balance or if our stocks are doing well. But it's really God who sustains man. His Word, His love and truth, are always present to care for and guide us. He has blessed man with abundance, and that blessing is not dependent on economic factors.

When you think about it, what have lists of figures, pieces of paper passed to and fro, checks and receipts, to do with unceasing spiritual provision? Can they improve or lessen the love that God is pouring out to man? Could anything take from man the good that God constantly gives to him?

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes: ''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.'' n2

n2 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 307.

Certainly that was what we needed to do - to trust in God, not blindly, but with the conviction that all things are possible to Him. In our case, it was important not to fear the enormity of costs or to feel pressured by them, but to realize that God's omnipotence and love for man would provide everything that was necessary. Our needs were legitimate, not extravagant, and as fear gave way to trust I began to see that we could expect our all-loving God to care for us. As it turned out, His care was proved in wonderful ways.

Man, made in God's likeness, expresses the divine nature in many beautiful qualities. These include joy, loveliness, strength, intelligence - and completeness. God's man, our actual selfhood, ism complete, abundantly provided for. Our job is to help bring this to light, not only through our firm trust in Deity but by livingm the qualities that compose our true nature.

The fact of God's perpetual care may seem difficult to believe in the face of starvation and lack so apparent in the world today. But proving His care in our own lives points to the fact that allm mankind can be blessed when the source of supply, God, is loved and understood.

The consciousness of God's presence with man and of His great love for His children precludes lack and removes fear of future deprivation. Figures appearing on a pension check instead of a paycheck do not mean that we are entering a period of shortages and cutbacks. God eternally includes man in His love and tender provision, and we can prove this spiritual truth, regardless of our age, race, nationality, or any other factor. Because God never stops giving, we can rejoice that at every stage of our lives our needs can - and will - be met. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or, Where withal shall we be clothed? . . . For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:31, 32

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