Here’s a little snack: We have discussed at length the obedience of Elijah as it pertains to the sovereignty of God in the life of a widow woman and her son. My how God so richly blessed Elijah with the gift of ravens to feed him at the brook Cherith and also the widow of Zarephath, both of which were prepared aforetime by our Lord! Walking in obedience, Elijah held tightly to the promise of provision made known unto him by the voice of God.
And yet, the sacrifice of this poverty stricken woman cannot go unnoticed. While obedience is always better than sacrifice (1Samual 15:22), to overlook her generosity would prove to be our own financial downfall. This is truly an example to us all of the Lord’s call to protocol as it pertains to our giving. Sacrificial giving is most certainly within the Lord’s plan for our giving unto Him.
Notice the pattern set forth for us by this poor woman. First, her sacrifice was in response to a call. We read in verses 10 and 11, “…and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch [it], he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.” She heard the call and responded in sacrifice. To refuse the call would have been to forfeit the blessed hand of God. It is of great importance to know that a sacrifice without a call is simply an expression of irresponsibility. However, there was nothing irresponsible about this woman’s gift. Her sacrifice was an eternal investment.
Secondly, notice that her sacrifice was in regard to a consequence. What was the consequence of this woman’s sacrifice? Verse 12 tells us that the consequence of her sacrifice was death; “…behold, I [am] gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” Friend, there is no greater consequence of sacrifice than death itself; for a sacrifice without a consequence is not a sacrifice at all, but rather a donation made by the hand of plenty.
Finally, notice that her sacrifice was a revelation of her conscience. Verse 13 says, “And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go [and] do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring [it] unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.” She could not, in good conscience, provide for herself before she provided for God’s prophet. What an example to us all! There is no such thing as a sacrifice that is made of leftovers. May we give to God first and then trust Him to supply for us.
What was the reward for this poor woman’s sacrifice? The answer is found in verses 14 thru 16; “For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day [that] the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat [many] days. [And] the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.”
Friend, God is calling His people today to give until it hurts. May we fully understand that sacrificial giving is an investment. And may we invest sacrificially for the cause of the Lord today.
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