What Do You Have In Your House? Series

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR HOUSE?

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Supporting Texts: Exodus 4:2; Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 43:19

INTRODUCTION:

This account opens with a heartbreaking story of a widow, the wife of one of the sons of the prophets. Her husband had died, leaving behind a debt she could not pay. Now the creditor had come to take her two sons as slaves. In desperation, she ran to the prophet Elisha, not knowing that the key to her breakthrough was already in her house.

Elisha asked her one critical question: “What do you have in your house?” At first, she thought she had nothing except a small jar of oil. But that oil, when placed in the hands of divine instruction, became the source of her miracle. What she thought was insignificant became more than enough to rescue her sons, pay her debt, and sustain her household.

This powerful story reminds us that God often works with what we already have, not with what we wish we had. It teaches us that when we obey divine instructions and place our “little” in God's hands, He multiplies it beyond our imagination.

1. GOD SEES OUR HIDDEN PAIN AND DESPERATION

The widow cried out to the prophet because she was overwhelmed.

a) God is not indifferent to the pain of His people

She came with a cry, and heaven responded through the prophet (2 Kings 4:1).

b) Desperation is often the doorway to divine intervention

Sometimes, it takes a crisis to draw us closer to divine help.

c) God sends help through prophetic instructions

She didn’t receive money—but she received a word that would change her life.

d) God remembers the righteous—even after they are gone

She appealed to the faithfulness of her late husband, and that legacy mattered.

Biblical Example: Hagar wept in the wilderness and God heard the cry of her son (Genesis 21:16-17).

2. WHAT YOU HAVE IS ENOUGH FOR WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO

Elisha asked, “What do you have in your house?”

a) Miracles often begin with what we already have

The widow overlooked the jar of oil, but it was the seed of her miracle.

b) God works through what we surrender

When we release it in obedience, He releases His power upon it.

c) The small becomes significant in God’s hands

No matter how little, God can use it to bring increase (Exodus 4:2).

d) The miracle is not in what is missing but in what is available

What seems like “nothing” is often God’s starting point.

Biblical Example: Jesus fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (John 6:9-13).

3. OBEDIENCE TO DIVINE INSTRUCTION IS KEY TO SUPERNATURAL RESULTS

Elisha gave her precise instructions—go borrow vessels, shut the door, and pour.

a) Obedience unlocks the flow of divine provision

She obeyed step-by-step, without questioning the logic.

b) Specific miracles follow specific instructions

Her breakthrough depended on details like empty vessels and privacy.

c) The supernatural works in the atmosphere of faith and obedience

Borrowing vessels without oil was an act of prophetic faith.

d) Private obedience often produces public testimonies

The door was shut, but the impact was open and evident.

Biblical Example: Naaman dipped seven times in the Jordan and was healed (2 Kings 5:10-14).

4. GOD MULTIPLIES ACCORDING TO OUR CAPACITY AND EXPECTATION

The oil stopped flowing only when there were no more vessels.

a) Your capacity determines the size of your miracle

The more vessels, the more oil (2 Kings 4:6).

b) God meets us at the level of our expectation

She could have borrowed just a few—but she was instructed not to limit herself.

c) Spiritual increase follows prepared vessels

God fills what is empty and ready.

d) Don’t blame God for small results when you prepared for little

The oil only stopped because there were no more vessels to fill.

Biblical Example: Elisha told King Joash to strike the ground; he struck three times and limited his victory (2 Kings 13:18-19).

5. GOD’S PROVISION IS NOT JUST FOR SURVIVAL BUT FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Elisha told her to sell the oil, pay the debt, and live on the rest.

a) God does not only settle your past—He secures your future

Her miracle cleared the debt and ensured daily provision (2 Kings 4:7).

b) Divine supply brings rest and restoration

What started as a problem became a platform for peace.

c) God gives more than enough to meet the need

His provision always comes with overflow (Philippians 4:19).

d) The end of one crisis can become the beginning of a new testimony

Her sons were delivered, and her household restored.

Biblical Example: Peter caught a net-breaking load of fish when he obeyed Jesus’ instruction (Luke 5:4-6).

CONCLUSION:

This widow thought she had nothing left. But the question “What do you have in your house?” revealed that God had already placed the seed of her miracle within reach. When she obeyed the prophetic instruction and acted in faith, the little she had became more than enough. This teaches us that our breakthroughs are often connected to what we already have and are willing to surrender.