What is in Your Hand?
Acts 11: 29, 30
1 Kings 17:1-14 ‘… the jar of flour will not be used and the
jug of oil will not run dry…’
God is establishing his influence on earth through his
people. His people cannot achieve this as long as they lack means. Because of
your God given purpose, you will not lack basics of food, shelter, clothing,
health, retirement care, care for loved ones when you are alive and when you
die. God is able to supply for both your needs and wants (Psalm 37:4) as you
delight in him. Do not focus on your perceived source but your only source who
owns the whole earth and its fullness. God uses what you have to provide for
you and His purpose for you.
The answer to financial freedom begins with wisdom regarding
what you have in your hands – material possessions, time, ideas, dream, relationships,
skills, gifts, personality, spiritual assets, etc. Elijah received from God when it seemed he
had nothing. He had so much confidence in God that he said as long as the lord
the God of Israel whom he served lived he would keep his promise. God’s
promises will fail only if God ceases to live. But that will not happen because
God is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2). Obedience to God is the
source of true security including security of living and ministry supplies (1
Kings 17:2, 5, 9). God has ravens and widows, unexpected means, to send to you also. Elijah
did not despise the ways God chose to use. Even if circumstances change, God
does not run out of ways to provide for you.
The widow enjoyed divine provision when she had flour and
oil for the last meal. From what looked small obedience to God guaranteed her
adequate supplies for herself, her son and for Elijah at a time of
drought. The key lessons are:
> Elijah helped the
widow to see what she had, differently. She thought she had nothing – ‘only
a little’. She had become depressed and suicidal. Her problem was largely a
mindset one that reduces what is in the hands to nothing. Instead of multiplying
what is in the hands by faith in God. She failed to see in what she had
opportunity, potential, value, solution, and possibility. She worried about what was not there, what
she did not have, and what she lacked. Jesus multiplied two fishes and five
loaves to feed at least 5,000 people (Mathew 14:15). Despite the helpless
attitude of the disciples, he thanked God and acted – broke the little and served
it out. God wants you to take note of what you have and be thankful.
> Elijah ordered the
widow not to be afraid (1 Kings 17:13). When you look at the inadequacy of
what you have, fear not. Trust in God. God will bless what you have and it will
work wonders for you. Allow God to let what you have work for you instead of
you working to have things.
> Elijah instructed
the widow to put God first. He asked for a small cake first. Putting God
first in precedence and importance attracts His favor, and blessing on what you
have. It will also give you confidence before God. Give your best to God first (Malachi 1:6-14).
Because of her obedience, her personal needs as well as those of God’s work
were met. Her flour jar was not used up and her oil jug did not run out. She
had sustenance, more than enough.
If you put God first now (Mathew 6:33), even if you made mistakes
in the past GOD will redeem. He will free you from a poverty mindset, and
strengthen your faith by his word. Be thankful for what you have. See it as the
seed or key you need for the rest.
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