ME FIRST!

READING: 1 KINGS: 17:10-15

Verse 13: “And Elijah said to her, ‘Do nor fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.”’

This is a passage of scripture that is about two kinds of strong faith. It demonstrates the faith of the Widow of Zarephath and the faith of Elijah the Prophet. Elijah told the widow to give him a part of the last of her food, which was all that separated she and her son from death. She obeyed the prophet and then found that her food supply was continuously replenished even as she used it. That was remarkable faith to give in a desperate situation. However, it also took great faith for Elijah to receive. This was the last of the food. Most people would find Elijah’s response a very difficult one. There would be guilt about receiving in a way that could potentially have shortened the lives of two innocent people. There would be concern about how that would look to others. So in this instance, we can see both a challenge concerning faith to give as well as a challenge of faith to receive. We are well taught and encouraged to give, but this scripture validates that there also are times to receive. In fact, when done in godly obedience, it is every bit as important to receive as to give. As God’s wordinforms us, there is “...a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Can you think of a time of significant challenge to receive?

2. Which challenge would you prefer, the widow’s or the prophet’s?