Borrow Not a Few (Part 2 of 3)

In Part 1 we saw in 2 Kings 4 the widow who needed a miracle to save her two sons from being sold into slavery. She could have looked at her circumstances and crumbled. She could have looked at her own resources and despaired. But she went to the man of God – Elisha – crying out for help.

And there she found what she needed. She took her burden before the Lord, He heard her cry, and He came to her rescue. But first, she had to be willing to give up whatever she had, as little as it was. Elisha asked what she had in her house, and she said, “I don’t have anything in the house, except a jar of oil.”

But do you know, dear friend, what our Lord is able to do with a simple, single jar of oil in the hands of one willing to give it to Him? Do you know what the Lord can do with a sling and a stone in the hands of one willing to give himself to God? Do you know what Jesus can do with two fish and five loaves from a boy willing to give it to Him?

You may not have much to give, but give it anyway! God can multiply your gift in ways we’d never dream of. The apostle Paul concluded a prayer for the church in Ephesus by saying, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21).

This widow needed help, and she was willing to offer whatever she could – as little as it was – so that God might multiply it back to her. She listened closely as Elisha, speaking with the Spirit of God within him, instructed her to go and borrow empty jars from her neighbors. And I love this part – he said, “Borrow not a few!” He knew that God was more than able to supply her need. Not only was He able, He was willing and ready to demonstrate His mercy and grace in a miraculous way.

Borrow not a few! Friend, if you’re going to ask of the Lord, then be prepared to receive it! God has ordained it that His children should come to Him in prayer to receive their daily bread. He has given His Son, Jesus, who has opened up the way for us to approach the throne of God in heaven. That Way was Jesus’ broken body, offered on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin by His shed blood, that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. By His wounds we have been healed.

If you are a follower of Christ Jesus then you not only have access to come to God, but are given a special invitation in full assurance of faith to draw near to Him. And in that place there are treasures of blessings the Lord longs to pour upon His children. Treasures of mercy and grace in Christ Jesus that are yours for the asking, the seeking and the knocking.

Are you prepared to receive them? Borrow not a few! If you’re gonna pray for rain, carry an umbrella. You might even want to slip on your raincoat and some boots. Roll up the windows and cancel your plans for the afternoon picnic in the park. God’s about to send a downpour.