The Oil of Obedience

One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied. And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.” So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim! “Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons. “There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing. When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.” 2 Kings 4:1-7 NLT

Pray

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT

“What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. 2 Kings 4:2a

Prayer is not meant to be our last resort, but our first and consistent response.

Give what you’ve got.

“Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil.” she replied.
2 Kings 4:2 NLT

A little goes a long way when you give it to God!

Personal investment / effort goes a long way with God.

Do what God asks you to do?

Obedience is our most valuable commodity.

And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.” 2 Kings 4:3-4 NLT

Before God will do what God can do, He expects me to do what I can do.

God’s solution usually requires effort and always requires humility.

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 ESV

When you’re in a tough situation, pride is not your friend.

So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim! 2 Kings 4:5-6 NLT

First and even small steps toward a Godly solution require faith.

Honor God with the results.

When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.” 2 Kings 4:7 NLT