1 Kings 17:14  “For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’ ” (NIV)

Luke 4:24-26  “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.” (NIV)

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God loves everyone, and so should we. 

God is not constrained by our constraints. He is not limited to our resources. He is not a slave to our prejudices. 

God can do more with a tiny bit of oil and some flour than we can with a fully staffed bakery. 

God can take our mustard-seed-sized faith and our tepid obedience and provide for us better than we can provide for ourselves in the best of times. 

What does this make possible? This may be the wrong question. A better question in light of these Bible texts is, with God, is anything impossible? Better than the question is the answer: NO.

When Elijah inventoried the resources at hand, he included God’s limitless abilities and his endless compassion. It’s a pretty sad cake that doesn’t include all of God’s goodness in the mix. 

You may start this day with only a little oil and flower, but when you invite God to the matters at hand, he will multiply beyond counting whatever is required for people to see his extravagantly generous love. 

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I will offer God what I have on hand so that he can do what only he can do and multiply its effectiveness.

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Our Father, take what I have and do what only you can do. May your extravagant love be on full display in what you accomplish. May everyone see you for who you truly are. May they experience your grace, mercy, and kindness. May they turn their hearts toward yours. Amen.