“Give, and gifts will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefit on others], it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 (Amp)
The effect of Elijah’s prophecy of a three and a half year drought was not restricted to within the borders of Israel, but also afflicted other countries, particularly Phoenicia, where the town of Zarephath was situated. Yet, God commanded Elijah to journey to this place and meet up with the widow He had commanded to feed him. Elijah must have thought that it would be one of those indolent widows whose late husband had left tonnes of money she couldn’t possibly spend. Therefore, it must have come as a total shock when God confirmed to him that the ragged woman he saw gathering sticks at the gate of that town was the famed widow.
To make matters worse, it seemed that God had conveniently forgotten to inform this woman of His command to feed Elijah. So, when the latter asked for a drink and later a loaf of bread, her response was that she had nothing to give. All she had was enough only to make a last meal for herself and her son, after which they would slowly starve to death. The question is how can a person in dire need meet another person’s need? If you are feeling the economic pinch yourself, is it wise or advisable to give of the little you have to help meet the need of someone else? Our anchor verse states a spiritual principle that we will do well to heed. It states that if you give you will never lack and that you can expect to receive the multiple of your gift. As you sow into somebody’s life, another person will sow in greater measure into yours.
The Zarephath widow might not have fully appreciated this basic principle of biblical economics, but she chose to take a step of faith and did as Elijah requested based on God’s word that the little flour and oil she had shall never run dry until it rained on the land. The curious thing about this story is that at no time was it said that this lady heard God speaking to her, yet God maintained that He had commanded her to feed Elijah. While this was the case, we can still say that God spoke to her in that He made her willing to do His will, Phil 2:13, and then blessed her for her obedience. Also, the God who had envisaged Satan’s attack on her son ensured that the solution, in Elijah, was present to help bring him back to life when the situation demanded it. Hence, this woman received a phenomenally greater return on her investment of faith.
So, are people, Christian or otherwise, suffering from the credit crunch around you? What has been your response so far to their needs? Could it be that God has already commanded and is thus gently urging you to help meet those needs from the little (faith seed) that you have? Could it be that by bringing those needs across your path God is setting you up for His uncommon blessings? Will you regard those needs as opportunities to be blessed disproportionately as you experience God’s miraculous provision? It will be a shame if you were to walk away and miss out on His blessings.
Prayer:
Lord, like you did to that widow of Zarephath, make me willing to do your will. Use me to answer the prayers of the needy so that I too can experience your miraculous provision in line with your word in Jesus name. Amen