Giving, Pouring, Sharing
A Bible prophet called Elijah met a widow who was so poor that she and her son were about to die of starvation (see I Kings 17:8-16). She said she had only a handful of meal and a little oil left. Yet Elijah told her not to be afraid, but to make some bread out of it first for him -- and then for herself and her son.
This could seem cruel and selfish. But the man of God, as they called Elijah, was teaching her a lesson in how God provides for us. She was obedient and did just as she was asked. The oil and the meal did not run out, but continued to supply the needs of her family for "many days."
So where did the provisions come from? Why didn't the food run out? Elijah revealed in a practical way that sufficiency is spiritual. It is not limited, because it is from God, and God is infinite. If you want to enjoy sufficiency in your life, you have to understand that the provision of what you need is not a physical process, but a mental one that reveals what God has already given you. Through knowing God, you can open a way for good to come to you in the form you need.
To start the flow of giving is to start to experience the flow of supply. This involves developing a "giving" mentality, rather than a "getting" one. It is giving without the expectation of receiving something in return. The widow was expressing love in a way subsequently taught by Christ Jesus; she was giving, pouring, and sharing. Jesus would later say to his followers: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38). This describes a spiritual law in operation. An awareness that this law is universal, able to bring light and love to your consciousness, is your security. This law is ever present. It will never run out. It takes form as we develop the awareness that we each embody all that God is and has.
God is Spirit, and each one of us is His image and likeness -- spiritual. God is good. Spiritual good is constantly ours through understanding God.
If you feel you must hoard or withhold money or food, you are trusting what the five physical senses are presenting to you, and you will always risk limitation. Then you are liable to be afraid, like the widow. In place of this, the giving, pouring, sharing must go on. Don't ask "Who is going to give to me?" or "Where am I going to get it?" As Jesus showed, we do not look outside of ourselves at all; we look to our consciousness of God.
You might ask, "What have I that I can give, pour, share?" You might answer, "Some food, clothing, money, flowers in the garden; I can play the piano; I have some domestic skills." The Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, reminded readers in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals" (p. 13). God is Love. We can accept His love into our thoughts and include everyone we think of in it -- the whole world even. According to Scripture, we, as God's spiritual reflection, show forth His nature. Then, we have a never-ending supply of good, in the understanding of God, with which to express qualities such as those spoken of in Galatians: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (5:22, 23). The widow faced a shortage of oil. Science and Health gives these qualities as hinting at the Scriptural significance of oil: "Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration" (p. 592). You and I can "pour out oil" -- be more devoted to God, charitable to someone, gentle with everyone, prayerful, open to God for inspiration.
This does not mean that we should not work; work is part of our fulfillment, allowing opportunities to express God, for more than just the wages. Our purpose is to serve, as best we can, with what we now have. This is giving, pouring, and sharing. And it brings tangible evidence of abundance in our lives.
