“Edification for the Mind & Spirit…A Daily Piece of Peace”
1/23/12
Giving My Last…
Recently, I was discussing the story of Elijah and the widow whom he came upon who fed him her last (1Kings17). This scripture carries so many messages that it is almost difficult to narrow it down to just one to write about. But the one that stood out the most to me was the message about “giving your last”. I am truly thankful that GOD gave me a heart for the people. A heart that cries out (literally and figuratively) when I hear of someone in need. As I talked about the widow’s act of kindness toward Elijah, my eyes filled with tears as I thought about her condition. Down to her last cup of flour, enough oil for just one meal, just enough for a last meal for herself and her son…
She said, "I swear, as surely as your GOD lives, I don't have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we'll die."
(1Kings 17:12)
The fact that, this woman, a widow…a single mother, was WILLING to feed another human being…a stranger, regardless of what she had left for herself AND her family spoke volumes to me. Her willingness to GIVE to SOMEONE else without expectation of knowledge of receiving left me speechless.
I can recall my own experience with something similar to this on both ends of the spectrum. I was both Elijah and the widow at one time. As the widow, I in a position where I was willing to feed as many as were hungry even though my ability to buy food for my family was limited, yet I decided that GOD had called me to give. To buy the food, cook the food and deliver the meals to those living on the street…those who were in need of a meal…those who were in need of having their faith restored in mankind first and then in GOD as they seen GOD working through man feeding them. As Elijah, I can recall being pregnant and homeless with my, at the time 10 year old son and my husband. We went homeless in a city full of family with no compassion and an unwillingness to give, even if only a word of encouragement.
You see, GOD calls us to give with the heart and the unthinking quickness of the widow. The condition of our fellow men and women, whether we know them or not, should compel us to WANT to help, ESPECIALLY if we call ourselves believers and followers of CHRIST. GIVING was what CHRIST did. HE gave life…HE gave encouragement…HE gave HIMSELF for you and I. The Widows willingness to give her last not only placed her in position to receive more provision from GOD but also allowed GOD to show HIMSELF to her through the miracle of raising her son from the dead. When we give to others…we truly are giving to ourselves…and most importantly, we are giving to GOD…
Stay Blessed, Stay Happy, Stay Wise, Stay Encouraged, Stay Humble & Stay Edified People!
Pastor Joyce Roundtree