DCLM Daily Manna 7 September 2021 — Abundance Through Sharing
TOPIC: Abundance Through Sharing (DCLM Daily Manna 7 September 2021)
TEXT: 1 Kings 17:8-16
8 And the word of the Lord came to him:
9 Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her, Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11 As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.
12 And she said, As the Lord your God lives, I have not a loaf baked but only a handful of meal in the jar and a little oil in the bottle. See, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it—and die.
13 Elijah said to her, Fear not; go and do as you have said. But make me a little cake of [it] first and bring it to me, and afterward prepare some for yourself and your son.
14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: The jar of meal shall not waste away or the bottle of oil fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.
15 She did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days.
16 The jar of meal was not spent nor did the bottle of oil fail, according to the word which the Lord spoke through Elijah.
KEY VERSE: “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she and he, and her house, did eat many days.” – (1 Kings 17:15)
MESSAGE:
The almighty God, in His wisdom did not endow everyone with equal substance such that we are all self-sufficient and so do not need the assistance of others. One may have sufficiency in one item but lack in something else. Whether in our chosen endeavour or God-assigned duty, we need each other. Human existence is one of interdependence. While sufficiency is a measure of virtue, greater success is usually attained when we share our substance with others. And it is not in the quantity of our substance but the readiness and cheerfulness of sharing.
Also Read: Open Heaven 7 September 2021 – Prayers For Youths
Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, yet the person appointed to cater for him was a poor widow in want. It is God’s way and to His glory, to make use of and put honour upon the weak and foolish things of the world. The woman also needed companionship and fellowship. Though having just a handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in a cruise, she believed the prophet’s word and did as she was commanded. She even baked a cake for him first. This widow’s faith enabled her to readily deny herself and depend upon the divine promise. This singular act of sharing her last meal, gave her a great miracle. Consequently, she and her household including the prophet had enough throughout the time of famine.
Those who rely on the promises of God and the words of His prophets make themselves recipients of His blessings (2 Chronicles 20:20b). Also, as believers, we should learn to share and not hold back our gifts, talents, skill, time, abilities and substance from God and those in need. As we give to others, we must also give to God. For sharing with others in times of famine, pestilences, earthquake and world disasters, God will in turn shower His blessings upon us. We would lack nothing and our substance will continue to be replenished.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The secret of continuous abundance is sharing.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 101-104
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
