The widow had planned to fix her family a meal with the last of her flour and oil and then expected everyone to die of starvation shortly thereafter because the famine in the town of Zarephath was so terrible that there was no natural way she could get anymore food.
Unexpectedly, Elijah, a man unknown to her, came her way and asked for a drink of her water and a piece of her last meal and told her the reward that would come to her by doing so – the flour and oil would last and provide plenty for her and her family to eat well beyond the end of the famine. Even with doubt, a promise not yet experienced, and faced with certain death from starvation a few days earlier than otherwise expected, she gave him a piece of her meal.
Within her heart she believed the hope Elijah had spoken more than the reality she faced. Her family was saved from certain death and extremely blessed as a result of her obedience to the voice of the Lord spoken by His prophet in that the flour and oil never failed to flow until the famine was fully gone out of the land.
Similarly, a man was threatening to take two sons of a widow as indentured servants so that he would be repaid the loans he extended to their deceased father. The mother asked Elisha to intervene to help her family overcome the financial turmoil and bad economy these debts brought upon them. He asked what resources she had available to help overcome the situation and she said nothing but a flask of olive oil.
Elisha told her to borrow as many pots from neighbors as she could and start pouring the little jar over each pot until each one is filled and that she would be able to sell the oil and pay off the family debts and live comfortably. She believed and acted upon the word of the Lord spoken by His prophet and it brought financial freedom.
In the same way, God gives you resources (assets, belongings, gifts, and abilities) that ensure you have more than enough to make life fulfilling and successful in good times, bad times, and famine. The resource may be greatly under-utilized by you up to this point and thus may seem inconsequential like an overabundance of tools, ability to organize belongings, or great carpentry skill. However, I assure you the skill will be life preserving, income-generating, and profitable as the Holy Spirit and men and women that intimately know Him instruct you how to employ your resources.
When you listen to the voice of the Lord and take action upon His instruction you will give greatly to support ministry work and make it a priority to pay off accumulated debt so you can give even more to the things that please God’s heart. Other people may be scrimping due to over-indebtedness and catastrophe, but that will not be your lot in life. Instead you will be serving other people in a God honoring manner, fulfilling your purpose, reaching your destiny, and showing others how to humbly enjoy the creature comforts God so richly provides.
Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!
1Kings 17:9-16, 2Kings 4:1-7, Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38
Please forward these bondage breaking articles to other people who can use helpful insight!!!
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