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Chapter One

The Principle Of Supply

Webster's Dictionary gives the word principle as a synonym for God, and Christian Science uses it as such. However, in The Infinite Way we use the word principle to mean specifically the principles of life upon which our work and our consciousness are founded. We need principles from which to work and upon which to stand if we are to rise above blind faith as we must.

There are principles in every business, in every art, every profession, and every line of work. Those who abide by these principles, even though they may have many struggles, eventually achieve success.

In our work it is more so. We need principles with which to work because we are continuously faced with appearances of discord, that is, sin, disease in every form, old age, death itself, lack, limitation, and poverty. The Bible tells us that we will have the poor with us always, and we certainly will have them until the principle of supply is understood, and we will have sickness until the principle of health is understood.

Why We Experience Lack

The Infinite Way principle of supply is that in our oneness with God, we already have all that the Father has because "I and the Father are one and all that the Father has is mine." If we individually are experiencing a lack, it is not because of any actual lack. It is because of our inability to make contact with our supply.

In my writings you have seen the reminder that throughout the Great Depression there was no lack in this country. If anything, there was agreater abundance than ever before. Certainly there was a greater abundance of crops, of fish in the oceans, birds in the air, lumber in the forests, grains in warehouses, in barns, and in fields and gardens. This great abundance was not only omnipresent in God; it was actually omnipresent in storehouses and warehouses, in barns and in fields. There was no lack! If any of us suffered from a lack or insufficiency, it was not because there was an actual condition of lack. It was because we were not in tune with the source of supply; we did not have access to the infinite supply.

Therefore, in our work we say, "If you had known the principle of supply, you would not have been in lack or limitation or want during those years." Since there was no actual shortage, any sense of lack was merely an ignorance of the principle of supply.

The principle of supply is the realization that we already have, even though appearances may not testify to that. Because I and the Father are one and all that the Father has is mine, we have. "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."' As a child of God you are joint heir with Christ in all the heavenly riches of the Father. That is a spiritual truth given to human consciousness.

Invisible Supply

The world seeks its good in the external realm. It seeks to find peace, joy, satisfaction, home, companionship, or supply from the outer world of people and things. But the Master said, "My kingdom is not of this world." When you turn to the spiritual path, you learn that the world's weapons will not do for us, the world's manner of protecting itself will not do for us, the world's way of seeking its good will not do for us. When you ponder the statement, "The Kingdom of God is within you," it immediately becomes clear that going outside to find your good will not work. The place to seek it is within. The spiritual revelators of all time agree on this.

Spiritual living is based on the ability to contact God. Let it be understood once and for all that there is a God. Not only is there a God but He is at hand. Our mystical poet tells us that He is closer than breathing, nearer than hands and feet. The Master tells us that the Kingdom of this God is within us.

If we are not experiencing life eternal, if we are not having the harmonies, peace, and prosperity to which we are entitled as children of God, let us be fair about it and acknowledge that we have not made His acquaintance, we do not know Him aright. "Acquaint now thyself with him and be at, peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. " He shall direct thy paths and you will be at peace. We have not become acquainted with Him. To know, Him aright is to have all our ways directed and to be kept in peace. It is really and truly to receive the blessing of life eternal, life harmonious -- the good life.

In my early years in this work success came to me quickly and with it prosperity. Then I moved to another city and took upon myself larger obligations. Outwardly it seemed as if I had made a mistake because while I continued to be very successful in healing work, I was unsuccessful in demonstrating supply. I faced a severe lack and limitation in maintaining a family with an insufficient income. I was doing beautiful healing work, being engaged in it all day and all night, and yet I did not have a sufficient return to support my family and myself. It puzzled me because for two years I had been in the work, had demonstrated beyond question that not only were healings taking place, but also supply was being met for others, and yet here was this personal problem of mine. One day the problem became acute.

It probably was not necessary for me to eat or drink or be clothed, but it was necessary for the sake of those who were trusting in my understanding that I know how to accomplish it, why it is accomplished, and when it is accomplished. I had no rest until I found the answers.

Invisible Supply. Copyright © by Joel S. Goldsmith. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.