The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” 2 Kings 4:1-7
“In this chapter we shall read of a number of further miracles, both of provision and healing, that remind us of Elijah in the same way. The first of these is occasioned by a crisis facing the widow of a member of the prophetic groups under Elisha’s leadership. Her sons are to be taken as slaves in payment of a debt. Like the widow of Zeraphath (1 Kings 17:7-16), she possesses only a small amount of oil. As in the Elijah story, the small amount is transformed into an abundance; it fills the empty jars the widow can find. The proceeds from the sale of this oil will leave the family enough to live on, even after the debts have been settled.”
Iain W. Proven in 1 & 2 Kings (UBCS; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995) 187.
Notice the powerful words of the prophet. “What do you have in your house?”
Don’t miss this lesson which points to the doorway of God’s generous and abundant economy. When we are in crisis he wants us to put to work what we have. Only then will it be “transformed into an abundance.”
This past week at GTP, we did a webinar on “Growing Local Giving: Biblical and Practical Tips” (click to view it). The message of this text was proclaimed by the speakers from six countries.
When the community of faith has needs, the focus should not be on what we don’t have but faithfully putting to work what we do have. Only then can it be “transformed into an abundance.”
I saw this growing up with seeds. Only when a seed goes into the ground and dies, does it bear fruit in abundance. Only when it is put to work does God work to multiply provision.
If you are struggling right now or have needs personally or in community, try this. Pause. Reflect on this profound idea. Take inventory of what you have. Then put it to work, and see what happens.