2 Kings 4:3 Elisha said, “Go round and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.”

It has always been interesting to me that Elijah is considered the “greater” prophet, but there are far more miracles of various sorts recorded for Elisha. It’s possible that’s because Elijah largely acted alone, so we only know what he told someone else about his activities. Elisha, on the other hand, was associated with a “company of prophets,” so he had a number of people paying close attention to what he did. In any case, this particular incident is well known. In my family we’ve used the expression, “widow’s cruse of [whatever]” when anything was lasting a lot longer than expected. The point is, God’s supply doesn’t run out. However, in this particular instance, the widow and her sons were actively involved in receiving that supply. Not only did the widow have to keep pouring oil, she and her sons had to go around asking for jars into which to pour the oil. God uses various methods of supplying our needs, some of them more seemingly miraculous than others, but it is rare indeed that we are to be passive about it all. At the very least, we are to be active stewards of whatever He provides, so that it will be put to the purposes He intends for it. In this particular instance the widow had to sell the oil she was given, in order to have the funds to pay her debts and then to support her sons. Had she just rejoiced at all the oil in the house and not gone out and sold it, the miracle would have been meaningless.

This is certainly a timely reminder for me! We are facing a project that is huge, considering the size of this church. People have promised finances, but at this point we don’t know how much they will give. We do know that however much it is, it won’t be enough for the total project. I need to be active in asking for contributions, but I need to know whom to ask, and how. It’s not easy to ask for money, particularly when most of the wealthy people I know aren’t Christians. However, as the Lord has pointed out to me recently, He can use this to draw them to Himself, and the eternal life they would receive is worth far more than any financial contribution they might make. I woke very early this morning and my mind kicked into “worry mode,” attacking my faith and my peace. That was just an indication of the spiritual warfare in which we are involved. I am not to be foolish, but I must remember that God is never at a loss for supply, whether it be money, personnel, or anything else. My task is to do whatever He indicates to receive that supply, as well as be faithful as a steward of whatever He does supply, just like the widow in this story.

Father, thank You for Your perfect timing. You knew what would happen when, at the point You had me select this passage in creating this month’s Scripture List. Help me receive and operate in Your truth, and not just preach it to others. I ask for clear guidance for each moment of today, not just to be fully prepared for tomorrow but so that I won’t miss anything You have for today, for Your will to be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!