And It Shall Be Given Unto You
Budgeting is a challenge, even in this age when households commonly have both husband and wife working. Many times, we find that there are many more days left before the next peso or dollar comes in.
When it seems that our bills and expenses outnumber our income, what do we do and whom do we turn to?
One of the most valuable principles I’ve learned is the principle of giving. The Bible tells us to “give, and it will given back to you” (Luke 6:38)
Giving has nothing to do with the law – it is all about love and obedience. As we give to God, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and belongs to Him. We are merely stewards.
We can learn from the widow of Zarephath, whose story is told in 1 Kings 17:7-16. That time, there was a famine in the land and the Lord commanded the prophet Elijah to go to Zarephath where a widow would provide for him. Elijah found the widow gathering sticks. He asked for water and bread, only to find out that the widow was about to cook the last meal for herself and her son, and then prepare to die. Elijah assured her that if she would just make him some bread, neither her flour nor her oil would run out until the Lord sends rain. She did as she was told, and true enough, did not run out of supply.
What can we learn from the widow of Zarephath?
Sometimes God requires us to do something that we feel we are least qualified for. Sometimes He asks us to give when we think there's not enough for ourselves. It's easy to give out of abundance. But like the widow of Zarephath, will we give out of poverty?
God prepares the way. Even before we experience troubles or difficulties, He has already appointed someone to help us. That someone may not seem to be the best candidate. He or she could be the last person we expect to get help from, but it is God who will enable that person to be a channel of blessing.
God's anointed ones deserve our support. The widow was a Gentile, yet she gave what she had to sustain the prophet Elijah. Many times, we expect our pastors to keep doing their jobs without compensating them right. I'm always saddened to hear about pastors/ministers who live in poverty because their congregations won't support them. I have nothing against pastors' wives working, but when the congregation relies on the wife to support her husband/pastor so he can stay in ministry, it's not right.
Our part is to obey. We can only be called God's followers if we do follow Him. Regardless of the odds, would you take His Word for it?
The next time we prepare our budgets, let us set aside what belongs to God first and He will prove Himself faithful to bless what remains.
"So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke through Elijah." ~ 1 Kings 17:15-16 NASB
Father, thank You for blessing me with everything I need. As I receive from Your bounty, remind me always that all of these are Yours, and that they all come from You. Teach me to obey You in the area of giving. Like the widow of Zarephath, may I be willing to give even out of my poverty, and trust that You will not fail to provide as You promised.