CXXXI
Scarcity or Abundance
(8/3)
Elijah said to the widow of Zarephath, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring to me…The jar of the meal was not emptied, nor did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of God spoken by Elijah. (I Kings 17:13, 16; read I Kings 17:8-16)
Elijah asks for a meal from a widow and her son. She initially refuses. All she has is a little meal and a small jar of oil. She anticipates one more meal, before starving to death. The prophet persists, promising that God will provide for her needs.
When she places her life in God’s hands, trusting God’s care, she receives everything she needs for her son’s and her survival.
This story reminds us that we have a choice between seeing the world in terms of abundance or scarcity. When we see the world in terms of scarcity, we never have enough regardless of how much we actually have. When we see the world in terms of abundance, we always have enough, even when others would describe our conditions as modest.
God promises us abundant life. (John 10:10) Abundance is everywhere, if we open our eyes and hands. Two sayings illuminate this – Mahatma Gandhi affirms, “there is enough for everyone’s need, not everyone need” and “live simply so that others can simply live.”
God will provide if we all work together. We have enough if we share enough. We discover we more when we reach out to others generously. Truly God will supply our needs.
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Holy God, let me trust that you will supply all my needs. In trusting you, let me bless others, giving and receiving your love every day and in every encounter. Amen.
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