Stewardship: Available In Times Of Little
1Kings 17:1-24
Today is the final in our stewardship series for the month of February. Over the last two weeks we looked at Stewardship: Giving In Times Of Little and Stewardship: Doing In Times Of Little. Today, I would like to share with you on Stewardship: Available In Times Of Little.
As we have been saying over the last few weeks the biblical account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath is set in a time of drought and famine in the land of Israel. As such, it was a time of very little or as we say today a time of economic crisis: a crisis of finding the basic necessities of life
It was a time in which many persons who were generous in their money or good deeds would start to think twice. It was a time when the natural response to the hardship would be to not give and to withdraw from doing good. Also, it was a time in which no one would seem to have the time for anyone but themselves; a time in which no one would be available to do anything for anyone, because everyone was concerned about their physical well-being or their survival in times of little.
This is much the same for us today, because as we are faced with the reality of an economic crisis, locally and internationally, our natural instinct is that we do not have time for anyone. Further, with the false view that time is money no one wants to consider that they are throwing away money by wasting their time on someone else. As such, the likely outcome of these circumstances we are facing is that people become unavailable and scarce.
As we face these times of little we must be careful that we do not become self absorb, to the exclusion of everyone and everything around us. Consequently, rather than becoming unavailable in times of little, the word of the Lord to us is this…
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)
In times of little, we are required to be available, and not unavailable. As such, there are three very important lessons we can learn from Elijah and the widow of Zarephath about being available in times of little.
In times of little God wants us…
1. To Still Be Available For Him
As we watch the biblical account of Elijah from the start of the scripture passage you will immediately realize that Elijah was not disconnected from God. The passage shows the connection between and God by declaring…
“Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan” (1Kings 17:2-3 NIV)
Not only on this occasion do we see Elijah being available to be used by God, but later on when God wanted to do something in the life of the widow, God called on Elijah to go to Zarephath. Listen to what the scriptures states…
“Then the word of the LORD came to him: "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." (1Kings 17:8-9 NIV)
Whether in times of little or in times of plenty God is always looking for someone who will make time for him, so that they can be used by Him. This is very important for us to understand, because when you make time for God…
a) God Refreshes You
The text tells us that while Elijah was in the ravine under God’s direction, God fed and replenished his energy every day. Listen to the text…
“So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook” (1Kings 17:5-6 NIV)
The Lord did not only refresh Elijah in the ravine, He did it also at Zarephath when he sent him there and prepared the widow there to provide food. Whenever we make time for God He refreshes our soul.
When the Israelites were being encouraged by God about being brought back from captivity, God’s word to them was that he would refresh them.
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." (Jeremiah 31:25 NIV)
Truth being told is that we all need the refreshing of God during times of little, because when God refreshes us we are able to recover and collect our strength. Not only that, we will not die, even if it is time of little. It is no wonder the bible tells us that…
“ they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31), and this is true, even in times of little.
b) God Reassures You
As Elijah makes time for God, he gets word from the Lord as to where he must go and what he must do. These words serve as a reassurance to Elijah so that he knows that God is with him, just the same way as he makes time for God. Three times the text tells us that…“Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah…” (vs. 17:2, 8 & 14)
When we have the assurance that God is with us, because of our faithfulness to him, when we face times of little we will not be afraid. We will take confidence in the fact that God will provide a way for us as well as provide a word for us.
As such, in times of little, I would rather love to hear the reassuring words of God, rather than the wisdom of men. It is no wonder the scriptures encourages us to draw near to God with full assurance (Heb. 10:22), because God is able to do what he says he will do.
“let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22 NIV)
In times of little God wants us…
2. To Still Be Available For Others
As we make ourselves still available for God and not withdraw ourselves, we will soon realize how importantly we are needed by others. The text tells us that God sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath who was truly in need of someone to come into her life and bring hope.
“So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks” (1Kings 17:10 NIV)
We all know the rest of the story, she was on her last. But God sends Elijah to let her know that her last was just the beginning of God’s grace and mercy. However, she would have never known this if Elijah had not made himself available.
As such, in these times of little we must never fall prey to the philosophy of ME MYSELF & I; withdrawing ourselves and becoming unavailable. We cannot retreat into the mountains and isolate ourselves from people. We must become available for others, because someone, a long time ago, made themself available for you.
When we make time for others…
a) God Will Use Us To Refresh Others
As I said last week, though Elijah was thinking about his belly; however when he came into contact with the widow he realized that God had a bigger plan. God’s plan was for Elijah to bring a word of encouragement; a word declaring that…
“For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ’The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.’" (1Kings 17:14 NIV)
When God refreshes us, he does it so that we in turn can refresh others and turn their life around. The bible reminds us that…
“he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV)
The problem we face in the church and our society is that many persons are always looking for others to do for them and they are unwilling to do for others. The first part of the scripture quoted actually reads… A generous man will prosper. As such, if we are going to be refreshed by others we must be generous in looking out for others.
b) God Will Use Us To Reassure Others
Upon meeting the widow Elijah declared to her…“For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says… (v. 14)
The word to the widow was a word of assurance and comfort in her times of little. It was a word badly needed. In times of little, a lot is being broadcasted to push people further into pessimism and despair. However, God has a word for someone, and may I say that you are the one to deliver it.
As such, if you should withdraw or retreat into isolation some one has missed out on the assuring word they need to go one step further. Therefore, we must make time for others by being available, because in so doing we are obeying the command to…
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
In times of little God wants us…
3. To Still Be Available For Service
As we make ourselves available for God and others, God will provide the opportunities for us to be of service. This is exactly what happened with Elijah, as he moves from declaring the word of God (talking), to doing ministry or service for the widow.
"Give me your son," Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed” (1Kings 17:19 NIV)
In times of little or crisis there is always opportunity for service or ministry, as long as we make ourselves available and not withdraw. Far too many Christians are quick to withdraw and refrain from doing, not realizing that God is always looking for someone to do something or to touch a life.
Scriptures remind us that we are all created for service
"For we are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph. 2:10 NIV)
When we are available for service, we will conduct…
a) Service To Build Our Faith
As Elijah made himself available, his faith is put to the test at the death of the widow’s son. The text tells us that…
“Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!" (1Kings 17:21 NIV)
Every time we make ourselves available for service it is an opportunity to build our faith. Our faith is never built by being idle or observing. Our faith is always built through service. As such, the more we are involved the more our faith is likely to growth.
b) Service To Bridge Others Faith
As Elijah conducted ministry to the widow she was able to cross the bridge from unbelief to faith in God. The bible tells us that the woman declared to Elijah…
“Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth." (1Kings 17:24 NIV)
Through Elijah’s willingness to be of service God used this experience to convince this widow that His words are completely reliable. And, by doing so the widow was able to cross the bridge of faith.
When we are available for service for God we will always be fascinated in how God uses us to touch lives, transform lives and to bring faith into people’s lives. All this will only happen when we make ourselves available for God, for others and for service.
Powerpoint and sermon outline/handout can be acquired by e-mailing white_logos@yahoo.co.uk
