God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty 2 Kings 4:1-7 09/28/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty Introduction –In verse 1 we are simply told, 1 the wife of a man from company of the prophets cried out to Elisha [for help]. Introduction –In verse 1 we are simply told, 1 the wife of a man from company of the prophets cried out to Elisha [for help].

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty 1 “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves” (2 Kings 4:1) –There are a number of principles to glean from these verses: 1 “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves” (2 Kings 4:1) –There are a number of principles to glean from these verses:

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty The Widow Cries Out for Help (2 Kings 4:1). –This poor widow was not unknown to God. –Her appeal was based on two facts: The Widow Cries Out for Help (2 Kings 4:1). –This poor widow was not unknown to God. –Her appeal was based on two facts:

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty As one of the sons of the prophets, her husband had been a servant and student of Elisha. Her husband had been faithful to the Lord. As one of the sons of the prophets, her husband had been a servant and student of Elisha. Her husband had been faithful to the Lord.

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty Elisha Responds to the Widow’s Need (2 Kings 4:2-4). 2 “How can I help you?” (2 Kings 4:2). –As a man of God, Elisha was as available –God shows no favoritism. Elisha Responds to the Widow’s Need (2 Kings 4:2-4). 2 “How can I help you?” (2 Kings 4:2). –As a man of God, Elisha was as available –God shows no favoritism.

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty –Elisha was no ordinary prophet. 2 “…you do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2b) –Elisha was no ordinary prophet. 2 “…you do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2b)

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty –Elisha did not wait for an answer. Why? Because her needs were obvious. God knows our needs before we ask. Then why do we need to ask? –Elisha did not wait for an answer. Why? Because her needs were obvious. God knows our needs before we ask. Then why do we need to ask?

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty 2 “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” (2 Kings 4:2) 2 “Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil.” (2 Kings 4:2) 2 “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” (2 Kings 4:2) 2 “Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil.” (2 Kings 4:2)

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty –She was destitute, the only thing she had was this oil. What does this teach us about the way God generally meets our needs? He usually takes what we have and multiplies it as we turn our lives over to Him and obey the principles of His Word. –She was destitute, the only thing she had was this oil. What does this teach us about the way God generally meets our needs? He usually takes what we have and multiplies it as we turn our lives over to Him and obey the principles of His Word.

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty Sometimes God does supply from places unknown and in ways beyond our imagination. 3 “…Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.” (2 Kings 4:3) Sometimes God does supply from places unknown and in ways beyond our imagination. 3 “…Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.” (2 Kings 4:3)

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty –As long as there were empty jars there was God’s supply to fill them with the oil. –Some important lessons for us here: The number of empty jars brought into the house showed the woman’s faith, obedience, and her submission to God. –As long as there were empty jars there was God’s supply to fill them with the oil. –Some important lessons for us here: The number of empty jars brought into the house showed the woman’s faith, obedience, and her submission to God.

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty If we find that the supply of God stops, then either the need has been supplied according to His will, or there are no more empty jars. If she had brought only a few, that would suggest there was insufficient faith, obedience, or submission to God as her sovereign Lord and supplier of her need. If we find that the supply of God stops, then either the need has been supplied according to His will, or there are no more empty jars. If she had brought only a few, that would suggest there was insufficient faith, obedience, or submission to God as her sovereign Lord and supplier of her need.

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty God’s supply would be (and was) as large as her faith and obedience, without greediness. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:3) God’s supply would be (and was) as large as her faith and obedience, without greediness. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:3)

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty The Widow’s Obedience and God’s supply (2 Kings 4:5-7). 5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. (2 Kings 4:5) The Widow’s Obedience and God’s supply (2 Kings 4:5-7). 5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. (2 Kings 4:5)

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. (2 Kings 4:6)

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” (2 Kings 4:7)

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty –These verses draw our attention to the nature of God’s person as powerful, loving, gracious, merciful, and like a Father to His children. –He is the Father of the orphan, the friend of the widow, the Shepherd of the sheep, and the Protector of His own. –These verses draw our attention to the nature of God’s person as powerful, loving, gracious, merciful, and like a Father to His children. –He is the Father of the orphan, the friend of the widow, the Shepherd of the sheep, and the Protector of His own.

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty Conclusion –Rich, wealthy or poor. It doesn’t matter. –One doesn’t minister based on how someone might promote you or provide for you. Conclusion –Rich, wealthy or poor. It doesn’t matter. –One doesn’t minister based on how someone might promote you or provide for you.

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty –Be concerned only that people might know and experience God’s grace and power in their lives. –Our most fundamental need is to come to him in faith, trusting the LORD to meet our needs. –Be concerned only that people might know and experience God’s grace and power in their lives. –Our most fundamental need is to come to him in faith, trusting the LORD to meet our needs.

God’s Supply in the Midst of Poverty 2 Kings 4:1-7 09/28/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles