Pastor Kong Hee, CHC 27 MAY 2009
And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.” 1 Kings 17:13
In the midst of a severe drought, Elijah was sent to a widow in Zarephath. God will never ask you to do anything that would hurt you in the long run. As you step out in faith to obey the rhema He has put into your spirit, you position yourself for a miraculous blessing. But first, the trial of faith. When Elijah met the widow, she was preparing the last meal for her son and herself. Elijah said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink” (1 Kin. 17:10). What is the most precious commodity in a drought? Water! Would this widow bring that which was most precious to her and give it to a complete stranger?
Elijah then upped the faith challenge: “Please bring me a morsel of bread too” (17:11). To the uninitiated, this sounds like an unreasonable request. If Elijah was thirsty and hungry, he could have gone to a rich man. Why “torment” a poor widow who was down to her last meal? God wanted to meet the needs of the widow and bring provision to her. But the principle of abundance states that you must first give before you can receive (Luke 6:38). To the world, that widow can’t afford to give. But to God, she can’t afford not to give. Her generous sacrifice is her lifeline to get herself out of debt.
The world’s philosophy about money is: (1) Get all you can. (2) Can all you get. (3) Guard the can. God’s philosophy is: Give as much away as possible and you will start getting more. Proverbs 11:24-25 says, “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” In short, you can give and give and give your way out of poverty into prosperity!
Elijah encouraged the widow: “Don’t fear, just go and do it” (1 Kin. 17:13). True enough, as she did what Elijah said, she and her son continued to eat from her supply of fl our and oil. For no matter how much they used, there was always plenty left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised (17:15-16).
In God’s kingdom, there is no recession or lack. But faith is the currency of His kingdom. As you step out in faith by paying your tithes and giving your offerings, you will find yourself giving your way out of lack into God’s abundance. Try it. He won’t fail you.