How many of us would feed a hungry stranger with the last crust of bread left in the house ? The prophet Elijah received a prophecy that the land would suffer a years-long drought , and this message from God had come to pass .
The Lord sent him to a ravine east of the Jordan River , where he sent ravens with bread and meat in the morning and in the evening and Elijah could drink from a brook , but eventually the brook ran dry because there was no rain in the land . The Lord commanded Elijah go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there .
I've directed a widow there to supply you with food . When the prophet came upon the widow , she told him she had just enough flour and oil left for a last meal for herself and her son , and she expected they would die of starvation after this final meal .
Elijah instructed her not to be afraid and asked her to make a small loaf of bread for him , then to do the same for herself and her son . First Kings 17 , 15 through 16 says she went away and did as Elijah had told her .
So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family , for the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry , in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah .
Because of the kindness she paid to the Lord's servant , the unnamed widow was blessed with enough to continue sharing with Elijah and enough for her family to eat until the rains returned . Let's pray God . You are our steadfast provider when we have an opportunity to give to those in need . Lord , remind us that you bless us with enough to share .
Help us to give unselfishly from the abundance that you provide for us , in Jesus' name , amen .