Start with What You Have

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’ ‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a small jar of olive oil.’”
(2 Kings 4:2)

Have you ever looked at a problem and immediately started thinking about everything you don’t have? If I only made more money. If I had a better job. If I had more time. If I just had a few more resources, then things would be different. It’s easy to become so focused on what’s missing that we overlook what’s already right in front of us. That’s where the widow found herself in 2 Kings 4. She had lost her husband, creditors were closing in, and she was facing the possibility of losing her sons. When Elisha asked what she had in her house, her first response was essentially, “Nothing.” Then she remembered one small thing. She had a little oil.

My friend, sometimes God begins His greatest work with something we’ve barely noticed. The widow saw a little oil, but God saw the beginning of her breakthrough. Elisha told her to gather empty vessels, go inside her home, and start pouring. She had to take what she had and act on what God was telling her to do before she ever saw the miracle. And then God did what she couldn’t do. He multiplied the oil. It’s a beautiful reminder that faith isn’t sitting back and waiting for God to fix everything for us. We do what we can do, faithfully and obediently, and trust God to do what only He can do.

So what has God already placed in your hands? Maybe you’ve been asking Him for more when He's inviting you to become faithful with what you already have. Maybe it’s your finances, your time, your abilities, your relationships, or an opportunity that seems too small to matter. Don’t despise what God has given you simply because it doesn’t look like enough. The widow’s little jar of oil didn’t look like much either. But when she placed what she had before God and took the next step of obedience, everything changed. Before you ask God for more, take a fresh look at what He’s already given you. You might be surprised by what He can do with it.

Bold Step Challenge:
Take a few minutes this week to identify something God has already placed in your hands that you may have overlooked or undervalued. Instead of focusing on what you wish you had, ask Him, “How can I faithfully use what You’ve already given me?” Then take one practical step of obedience.

Prayer:
Father, forgive me for the times I’ve focused more on what I lack than on what You’ve already provided. Open my eyes to the gifts, resources, opportunities, and relationships You’ve entrusted to me. Help me to be faithful with what I have and obedient in what You’re asking me to do. I trust You to take what seems small and use it for purposes greater than I can see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Listen to the sermon: In the Black: Start with What You Have

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