6.16.9 "This is All I Have"

"This is All I Have"

I Kings 15:25-17:24
Acts 10:24-48
Psalm 134:1-3
Proverbs 17:9-11

In I Kings 17 we meet this prophet Elijah. He's kind of a quirky fellow. I'm not sure many of us would get along with him too well. especially if he moved into our house and wanted to eat our last bit of food.

We can get quite attached to that last bit. I'm notorious for saving the last bit as long as i can. If Lisa makes a plate of bars, i will eat at will, but when there's only one left, i can make that thing last for days. I will walk by, unwrap it, take a bite, wrap it up again... There have been times when someone has casually and irreverently tossed the remnants of my last bar... There's more emotion here than I could possibly communicate right now...

Elijah and the widow of Zarephath is a story that we can all remember from growing up in the church. I still think I remember what the "Flannel-graph" looked like on that. (oh, the technology!) This widow had plans for her last bit of food. Eat it and die.

There is a DREAM principle in this story, and it is the area of Active Ministry Involvement. It is the principle of Responsibility. Sometimes when we think of Active Ministry Involvement, we just think of "doing" stuff that we have a "talent" or "interest" in. But to truly Live the DREAM, (the Balanced Christian Life) it's more than that. We have all been given resources of infinite variety. It's not just a talent. It can be time, money, and so much more. Scripture clearly indicates that we have a Responsibility to give account for what we've done with the resources we've been given. (Matthew 25:14-30)

This responsibility is not just for those who are plentiful in resources. It's for those who are given much as well as those who have nearly nothing. Remember the Widow's Offering in Matthew 12. Jesus said, all others have given from their wealth, but she has given all she has.

So many times we are too afraid to give God that last little bit. "If I give this to God, I will have nothing." Yet, as Elijah points out, If you give this to God, you will never be in want. We can tend to create this self-fulfilling prophecy. We DON'T give it to God, and we die. I'm not necessarily talking physically, but just think of that talent or ability that you kind of feel is so lacking, and yet God has directed you to step out in obedience. You haven't done it, so what does that talent or ability look like now? There are many who are waiting until they can "afford" to tithe. The truth is, you can't afford NOT to! If you don't, you will "eat your last portion and die".

I'm sure sitting in a Sunday School class, we'd all raise our hand in agreement & nod our head. What about at home when you're looking at the bottom of your jar? It may be that the thing in the bottom of your jar is not something good. Today's Proverb says, "Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends" (Prov. 17:9). Maybe what we have to give up is bitterness, or even the desire to be proved "right".

Imagine two pictures. the first is the widow with fear in her eyes hugging the jar with the last bit of flour. "This is All I have!". the second is the widow with confidence and even a hint of joy handing the jar to the prophet declaring, "This is All I have!"

What do you think God is calling you to do? Today there may be a situation where you are asked to give what seems to be your last. What will your posture be? Will your fist be clenched, or your hands raised as you declare "This is All I have!"



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ

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