The Widow's Oil

By the way (and this is a bonus), if you find yourself in constant trouble, financially (if you’ve declared bankruptcy again, relationally (can’t seem to keep friends long) , marriage (third marriage falls apart) , or work (lost your job again) and you are mad at the world because it keeps happening again and again and you can’t figure our what is wrong with the world...I’ll give a hint. If you want to be able to see a big part of the problem, look for the common denominator. It’s you. And the solution to the issue will start with what you have (you), not with what you don’t have (them).

Back to the story, the good news is that God has always been able to do a lot with a little. He fed 5000 with 5 loaves and two fish, he changed the world with twelve ordinary men...and if we’re honest, his most amazing feet in doing a lot with a little is the fact that He even changed you and me! He is a God who defies the odds. The Bible says He is the God who made something out of nothing, who "gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they are." He can overcome any and every circumstance and will use whatever we surrender to Him.

Look at what you have. Those of you who lost jobs. What do you have? Opportunities? What skills do you have? How about Connections? Passions? Ideas?

Start with what you do have, not what you don’t have.

Step Two: Be willing to do whatever it takes.

Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side." 2 Kings 4:3-4

Here God gives us a formula for overcoming difficulty... Here it is- humility and effort.

It takes effort. It takes intentional energy, right thinking, consistently doing the right things, building momentum toward the solution. We keep going, keep moving, keep trying and trusting, that God will honor our effort.

But that is not popular thinking. What do you do when life doesn’t go your way? A lot of us mope, get depressed, give up, retreat. Two types of people -- escapers and controllers. Escapers - eat, drink, get entertained, take vacation...come back and the issue is still there. Controllers -- steal, lie, cheat or get angry trying to manipulate our situation to suit us. Destroy relationships, burn bridges, blame and shame. And sometimes that works for the short term, but in the long run, it doesn’t work.

Here’s the problem. All of us want a miracle from God, but no one wants to work for it. Miracles are miracles because they don’t happen to everyone every day. If they did, it wouldn’t be a miracle. And in my experience, most of the time in order for God to do what only God can do, he first expects us to do what only we can do. If you are out of work, are you looking for a job?

God says that solution is effort and humility. Listen, in bad situations, pride is not your friend. The Bible says that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." It says that "pride comes before a fall." It takes humility. She has to humble herself and take the advice of someone else. (What about you? Who have you asked for help?) Then she has to go door to door to her neighbors asking for help. Can I borrow some jars? Embarrassing. But she is willing to do whatever it takes. What about you? You heard Chad say a few weeks ago that much of the time, the biggest barrier to a miracle of God in our lives is us! Humbly give your best effort.