An Unfair Request

DAILY BYTE

Yesterday, we discussed God’s desire to provide for us, and we discussed our human tendency to be afraid that God won’t ...

We heard the Bible’s message of God’s persistent provision for our lives that tries to calm those fears that we won’t have enough.

We heard yesterday that Step 1 of receiving God’s power to provide was relinquishing our fear. And now we reach Step 2, which is giving of ourselves.

It’s odd, really, that the widow in this week’s story from 1 Kings literally has nothing, and while she is drowning in this need, God sends someone not to hand her exactly what she needs, but he sends someone to ask her to give even more.

That seems terribly unfair.

He tells her not to be afraid but then makes a brash request when she’s clearly battling – he says, “go and do as you have said” - go make your deathbed meal - “but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son.”

Go take some of the miniscule bit that you have and provide for someone you’ve never met who’s shown up on your doorstep making all sorts of demands in the name of a God you don’t know either. Sure. No problem.

Think of the number of times a week you pass people on the street asking for food and tell them no, even if you have a full bag of groceries with you. I know I do this. Most people wouldn’t give so freely even on a good day, much less on the days when they feel like they’re going to die.

But nonetheless, the one who lacks is asked to give to help fill a need.

And when she takes that risk of giving, a miracle happens. Everyone has enough.

This is not to say that we are called to be unwise or thoughtless in our giving, but it asks us to be open to the command of God, not to be tight-fisted with our food, our talents, our money – anything that has the potential to bring life into the world.

This story says that when we listen to God’s command to let go and share with others who need, there is enough, and not just enough but plenty to satisfy people to the full for many, many days.

What are you holding onto tightly in your life? What might God be asking you to share?

FOCUS TEXT

1 Kings 17:10-11; 15-16 (NRSV)

So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” 11As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” ... She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. 16The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Teaching God, open our fists, withdrawing them from battle and extending all that we hold out to you so that it may be shared and used in miraculous, life-giving ways. Amen.