https://odb.org/2025/01/27/blessed-to-be-a-blessing
2 Kings 4:1–7 (ESV): 4 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2 And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4 Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”
The key to the widow receiving God’s blessings of the oil that continuously flowed in 2 Kings 4:1-7 is the availability of the empty jars. The oil only stopped pouring when there were no more empty jars to fill. It speaks of obedience to God’s Word as spoken by His prophet Elisha. But more importantly, it speaks of the containment of God’s blessings. God will continue His blessings as long as we may contain them in terms of the size and the number of empty vessels (our hearts and our lives) available.
In the Bible, oil symbolises the anointing of God. Thus, a simple and direct application of 2 Kings 4:1-7 is that our anointing in God will continue to flow so long as we continue to exercise it. The more we pray, the more blessings will flow whether it is healing or word of knowledge or prophesy or words of exaltation and encouragement. The more we preach, the more lives will be touched, whether in terms of witnessing or from the pulpit. In terms of our finances, the more we give, the more God will bless us. Not necessarily to the church only but also to worthy causes, for missions, for the sake of the Gospel or to the needy and poor. Whatever unique talents and giftings God has given us, the more we use them to bless others, even more will be given to us. Jesus taught us this in the parable of the Talents:
Matthew 25:29 NLT – To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
Have a great week ahead, everyone! Have a wonderful Chinese New Year celebration with our family and loved ones to all who are celebrating! Xin Nian Kuai Le! May we all dwell in the infinite and everflowing blessings of the LORD in 2025 as we use the talents and riches He has blessed us with to help and bless those around us!
Ronnie's Thoughts 