There’s always enough with God – a spiritual look at supply

by Lauire Toupin
January 28, 2002

Recently a woman, with the yellow pages in her hand, called all the churches in the Nashua area asking for monetary assistance with her rent. Moved by compassion, the faith community responded and helped meet her need. But more than just meeting the need of the moment, within days of the phone calls, this woman found a job and is now able to support herself and her child.

Originally, this woman called on churches strictly for financial assistance. But instead, she received what was required to meet her immediate and long-term need.

A writing on one of the walls of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Nashua reads, “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need,” written by the author of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” Mary Baker Eddy.

In the Christian Science faith, Divine Love is another name for God. I understand this sentence as saying that God already knows our need and is supplying it even before we ask him. And not in some esoteric, feel-good way, but in a practical, concrete manner, such as with a job, housing or food. 

All the physical aid we can offer another is only that . . . physical aid. It is a Band-Aid that leaves the person needing more tomorrow. But such is not the case with God.

If a person finds himself or herself without a job or a steady source of income as the woman above, he or she can expect to receive a supply from God.

During the last economic downturn, I found myself unexpectedly laid off. I remember commenting to someone just a couple of weeks before that I wouldn’t be let go because the company had too much work. Somehow, it discovered a way to get the work done without me!

With a limited severance package, rent and various dependents to support, I knew I had to find a job. But before I started looking, I thought about the story in the Bible of the loaves and fishes. Jesus fed 5,000 men, women and children on seven loaves and two fishes, and still had 12 baskets of leftovers. Now that is demonstrating supply! How did he do it? The Bible says he “gave thanks.”

What was he giving thanks for? I believe he was thanking God for supplying what everyone needed right then and there.

So I gave thanks to God, knowing that Divine Love was meeting my needs. Instead of praying for a job or more money, I prayed to see the good that God was already bestowing upon my family and me. Just as the severance package ran out, I found a job, closer to home than before and at the same pay.

God does answer our prayers when we turn wholeheartedly to him. Although it may not always be in the way we have outlined, we can count on the answer always being good.

And his goodness does not change. Just as the woman and I, we can all be protected from a fluctuating economy because God does not change. His goodness is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Jesus promises us in his Sermon on the Mount, “Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? . . . for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:31-33).

Since the tragedy in September, more people are seeking a sense of peace and security through spirituality, as a protection for themselves and their loved ones. Why not turn to God as our source of supply as well? God is “a very present help in trouble” – no matter what. (Ps. 46:1).

Laurie Toupin is a member of First Church Christ, Scientist, and serves on the board of directors of the Nashua Area Interfaith Council as a delegate at large.