Pouring From An Empty Jar

Today's message is from a short Bible story but packing an immensely powerful message. I recently heard a sermon on this story and was so touched that I wanted to share it in today's blog.

In 2 Kings 4: 1-7, the widow of Shunem and her two young sons were facing financial hardship. Her husband died and his creditors were pressuring her to pay off his debts or they would take her sons as slaves. Her and her sons were distraught with grief yet also struggled with the unrelenting pressure from creditors. They had extremely limited resources and could not pay the debt.

So, she decided to see Elisha, the prophet, to help with her situation. She reminded Elisha that her husband was his servant, and he feared the Lord. She explained that he had died and that the creditors were harassing her over the debt. Elisha just looked at her and asked her what she wanted him to do. Confused, she said that she had no way to repay the creditors and feared losing her sons.

Elisha asked her what she had in her house. She replied that she only had a tiny bit of oil, nothing that could help her solve the problem. Elisha looked at her and told her to go home and borrow as many empty vessels as possible that she could get from all her neighbors. Once the jars are collected, he instructed her to shut the door and begin pouring the little bit of oil that she had into every empty jar, then set aside the full jars.

Now as crazy as it all sounded, she was obedient. Her sons collected every empty jar they could get. She closed the door just like Elisha said. As she picked up her small jar of oil, I am sure she doubted there was enough oil to fill any jars! But she faithfully started pouring. And pouring. And pouring until she had filled every jar available and started asking for more jars. However, there were no more jars to fill. And her original jar was filled to the top. She immediately went back to Elisha and told him what happened! He further instructed her to sell the full jars of oil, pay off her husband's debt, and live with her sons with the rest of the money.

What is the powerful message in this Bible story? Well, there are several messages here. First, she turned to the man of God for direction. She did not ask everyone else what they would do. She knew who and where to turn for guidance. Second, she had faith to follow some of the craziest instructions she had ever heard. How could you fill empty vessels when she had very little oil to start with? But she was obedient and followed Elisha's divine instructions. Third, her faithfulness to pour little led to a continual pouring of oil until all the empty jars were full! Fourth, God provides the 'oil' that you need and the 'empty jars' that need to be filled. And finally, it is interesting that we never learn the name of the widow or her sons. Why? Because God deserves the glory for the things He allows us to bless others with. Not in our name, but in His name and through His glory.

How can we use this powerful message? In any situation you may encounter, first turn directly to God or His chosen leaders. Do not call your friends or post your problems all over social media. Pull your Bible out and talk with God. Through reading and listening to His nudging of your heart and mind, He will reveal what to do and which resources are available to use. It may be that God prompts the heart of someone else to bless you with exactly what you needed but had not told anyone! We must listen to God's voice when He speaks into our spirit, whether we are in need or when He wants us to bless someone else. He may use your little to answer the desperate prayers of someone in need. 

Now, you may think that you do not have anything or enough to bless someone else but POUR IT OUT ANYWAY! God says if you will pour it out, He will keep supplying you with whatever it is that He needs you to pour out. Philippians 4:19 says that "my God will supply every need according to His riches in glory".

2 Corinthians says, "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work". Now that is a lot of "alls"--- all sufficiency in all things at all times! Wow! In Matthew 6:31 and 33, he tells us “Do not worry, saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' For your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you".

Everything comes from Him and exists by His power. It is all intended for His glory. This week I challenge you to take your 'little' and pour it out for God. You will not run out so just keep pouring. Ask God to prompt your heart so you know who and when to pour it out. He will send you who He wants you to bless, so do not judge them by their appearance or socioeconomic status. And after you have poured into their lives, give God all the glory for He is our great provider and loves every one of us equally and dearly.

Enjoy this song "God Ain't Finished Yet" by Emerson Day.

https://youtu.be/SqDd1pKYW2o?t=5

I do not own the rights to this music or video.