Tucked in the pages of 2 Kings 4 is the unexpected lesson—an account of God’s miraculous provision for a destitute widow.

SHE DID NOT VIEW HER OIL AS ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT. BUT GOD DID.

“THE WIFE OF A MAN from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.’ Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’ ‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a small jar of olive oil.’” — 2 Kings 4:1-2 (NIV)

This widow faced a seemingly impossible situation. Yet through Elisha, God gave the widow an unusual solution: to collect many jars from her neighbors and to pour the small amount of oil she had into the jars, not stopping until each was filled.

Verse 6 tells us, “When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.” (Emphasis added.)

Scripture says that the oil stopped flowing precisely when the last jar was filled. The widow sold the jars of oil, repaid all her debts and lived on what was left. God provided enough—exactly what she needed.

There are thousands of ways that God could have rescued the widow from her creditors. Yet, He chose to use something she owned as the basis for His provision. Notice that when Elisha asked her, “What do you have”, her response was, “nothing there at all.” She did not view her oil as anything significant. But God did.

Lessons from the Widow’s Faith

As we consider the widow’s role in God’s miraculous provision, we find valuable lessons to apply to our lives today.

→ Seek godly counsel. The widow began by crying out for help—from God and His prophet. In times of trouble, it’s wise to pursue counsel directly from God, and from those rooted in faith. → Act in obedience. The widow could have easily dismissed the instruction thinking that empty jars were of no use to her. Instead, she obediently followed the prophet’s strange instruction to collect jars, and those became the very vessels for God’s provision. → Involve others in the process. She also involved her children and neighbors in this mission of collecting and filling the jars. God works through our community.

SHE OBEDIENTLY FOLLOWED THE PROPHET’S STRANGE INSTRUCTION TO COLLECT JARS, AND THOSE BECAME THE VERY VESSELS FOR GOD’S PROVISION.

Reflection Questions 

Whether you are currently facing difficult financial circumstances or know someone who is, consider the following:

• Have I sought the Lord and wise counsel from spiritual leaders?
• Have I made other people aware of my need?
• What resources do I have that might contribute towards the solution?
• Am I willing to obey whatever God asks me to do—even if it doesn’t make sense at first?
• How might I involve my family and community in this journey?

Like the widow, we may overlook the very thing God wants to use for our provision and growth. As you face challenges today, don’t underestimate the significance of what’s already in your hands. Offer it to Him in faith, take the next step of obedience, and trust that He is more than able to multiply your “small jar of oil” into more than enough.

This article was published in our Faithful Steward magazine, a quarterly publication filled with encouraging stories, biblical teaching, and practical tools to help you grow as a wise and joyful giver. If you'd like to begin receiving Faithful Steward, consider becoming a FaithFi partner.