Multiplying Your Little Bit of Oil

Second Kings, chapter four, tells the remarkable story of a woman who serves as a model for us on how to receive the supernatural provision of God.

Tragically, the woman’s husband had died and left her in debt as a single parent. Things were so bad that her husband’s creditor was coming after her, planning to take her two sons as his slaves.

Thankfully, the prophet Elisha got involved in her situation. Knowing that God often uses something we have in order to give us something we need, the prophet asked her what resources she had on hand. Her reply is very interesting: “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil” (v. 2).

Like this distraught woman, you may be tempted to think you have “nothing” to give the Lord today. But don’t forget about that little jar of oil! It could become the surprising key to your breakthrough.

Knowing that God wanted to turn things around for the widow, Elisha gave her instructions on how to get unstuck from her distressing circumstances. In obedience, she went into her community and gathered all the empty vessels she could find from her neighbors. Then she took her little bit of oil and started pouring it into the empty vessels. The Bible says she poured and poured, and the oil didn’t stop until she ran out of vessels.

When she sold the numerous vessels of oil, she was able to pay off all her debts. She even had money left over to retire!

If you learn the lessons from this widow’s story, you can receive God’s supernatural provision in a similar way. No matter what difficult situation you may be facing today, your miracle begins as you give God what you already have, believing Him to give you what you still need. He can transform your empty vessels into overflowing abundance!