The wife of a man from the groups of prophets said to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead. You know he honored the Lord.

But now the man he owes money to is coming to take my two boys as his slaves!”Elisha answered, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” The woman said, “I don’t have anything there except a pot of oil.” Then Elisha said, “Go and get empty jars from all your neighbors. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go into your house and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and set the full ones aside.” So she left Elisha and shut the door behind her and her sons. As they brought the jars to her, she poured out the oil. When the jars were all full, she said to her son, “Bring me another jar.” But he said, “There are no more jars.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told Elisha. And the prophet said to her, “Go, sell the oil and pay what you owe. You and your sons can live on what is left.” 

2 Kings 4:1-7 (NCV)

There was nothing out of the ordinary about the beginning of this story. Though it was not God’s intention and the practice was greatly abused, it was common in those days for poor people to pay their debts by selling themselves or their loved ones into slavery. This woman had lost her husband and had no money or source of income to pay her debt. The person to whom she owed money was going to balance the books by taking her children, but God had a much bigger and better plan. (He always does!) This woman may have thought Elisha was crazy, but she obviously had great faith, so she obeyed. She immediately sent her sons to the neighbors to gather jars, believing that God would perform a miracle…and He did! He blessed her obedience and gave her exactly what she needed. God takes what is ordinary and makes it extraordinary!

Whatever “empty jars” you are holding, take them to Jesus. He will take whatever you have to offer and make it into something spectacular! Don’t ask for “just a few”, because He will richly bless your obedience. When you have extravagant faith and trust Him with the details, He will take your breath away. Your God is a God of abundance and generosity and compassion and freedom! Stop striving and struggling to do everything in your own power, and let Jesus show you His! Give Him what you DO have, and give Him your “empty jars”. He will fill them to overflowing with infinitely more than you could ever imagine. You are loved!