Today, I’ll be unpacking 1 Kings 17:7-16 for you. The story begins with the prophet Elijah running out of supplies.
But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.
Some people think that if you’re close to God, you’ll never have needs. Not true. Jesus’ Followers are not exempt from problems. But their perspective is different. People who don’t have a relationship with God see their jobs or businesses as their source of supply. We don’t. God is our only source of supply, and our jobs and businesses are simply pipelines connected to that one source. So if we lose our job or fail in our business, we believe that God is simply changing our pipelines for better ones.
If your Boss fires you, or your company folds up, or your business crashes, tell yourself, “God is changing my pipeline to better ones.”
And that’s what He was doing with Elijah…
A Matrix of Generosity
Then the Lord said to him, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. There is a widow there who will feed you. I have given her my instructions.”
To God, giving is not just a nice thing to do. Giving is so serious to God, it’s not left to chance. God has designed a matrix of generosity—composed of givers and receivers. God has assigned specific people to bless you, and God has assigned you to bless specific people—and ministries.
Here’s my question to you: Who’s your Elijah? What ministry should you be providing for?
How Miracles Happen
So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the city he saw a widow gathering sticks; and he asked her for a cup of water. As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread too.”
Man. This guy is not shy. I think I won’t be able to do what Elijah did—asking a total stranger, “Please give me a drink. And while you’re at it, can you give me a sandwich too? Tuna on whole wheat bread with mayo would be great.”
Her response is heartbreaking…
But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I haven’t a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jar. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I must die of starvation.”
If I were Elijah and I learned about the woman’s sad plight, I would have been very ashamed and I would have apologized profusely, saying, “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. Here, let me give you some money…”
But Elijah said no such thing. He believed in God’s word so much, he told the woman…
“Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and cook that ‘last meal,’ but bake me a little loaf of bread first…
Elijah asked for the unthinkable. He said, “I know it’s your last meal. But wait. Give it to me first.” If I were the widow, I would have said, “Ang kapal ng mukha! (Thick-faced.) How dare does this guy ask for my last meal?”
Elijah then gives an incredible promise from God…
But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and cook that ‘last meal,’ but bake me a little loaf of bread first and afterwards there will still be enough food for you and your son. For the Lord God of Israel says that there will always be plenty of flour and oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”
And the widow did as Elijah asked her. And the miracle happened.
So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat from her supply of flour and oil as long as it was needed. For no matter how much they used, there was always plenty left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah! (1 Kings 17:7-16 TLB)
I believe that if you learn to give, you shall have plenty.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
P.S. How would you like to travel with millionaires? You know… just go around a wonderful city. Drink tea or coffee. Go shopping. All the while picking the minds of millionaires.
Join me and my business mentors! Let’s travel to Bangkok, Thailand together while we talk about the ins and outs of business, finance, entrepreneurship, and so many more. Be part of ESCAPE 2017.
Tell me more about ESCAPE 2017, Bo.
You’ll learn from the Financial Gurus while traveling and resting. You get to visit beautiful places with people who can mentor you into becoming the most successful and significant version of yourself.
