Read 1 Kings 17:8-16

“Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid! Go and do what you said. Only make a little loaf of bread for me first…’” -1 Kings 17:13a

One of the great paralyzers in our lives is fear. It can keep us from pursuing dreams, from building relationships, or even from following God’s call. It is also a primary road block to generosity.

In today’s story from Scripture, we learn that a little flour and oil is all the woman from Zarephath has left. She has planned to use it to prepare a final meal for herself and her son. Elijah offers an alternative. Give up what you have, and God will make sure you continue to have enough. Reading the story, we can understand how the woman would be afraid…until we realize that her original plan merely extends her life and that of her son by only one day. God has a much better plan in mind.      

There is a strong temptation for us to practice a theology of scarcity. We fear that there will not be enough, and so we hoard what we can in an attempt to feel more secure. But what do we really gain by our hoarding? Another day? Another meaningless possession? Time and time again, the Bible reminds us to have a theology of abundance. We can live with hope and confidence that God’s grace is bigger than our fears. We can give freely and even joyfully to the work of bringing the kingdom to earth as it is in heaven, trusting that everything will be okay.

Do you approach life as if there is not enough or more than enough?

If you had no fear, what would your level of participation in Pathway to Generosity look like?

How could this year represent a new opportunity for you to trust in God’s provision?