SACRIFICIAL GIVING< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

1 Kings 17:8-16

The little that you have left should not be an excuse not to give. How often have you been in a position to give but you turned your hand back because you were counting the little you have left? Many times, we often forget that nothing we carry or that is carrying us comes from us. God is the only giver and taker. The Psalmist presented it right and best in Psalm 24:1, ÒThe earth is the LORDÕs, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.Ó In the case of the woman of Zarephath, there was only a handful of flower in a bin and a little oil in a jar left for her and son to eat and die (1 Kings < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>17:12). When Elijah approached her, he requested from her to make him a small cake. It was a bold request by the prophet. To the woman, it was a very challenging giving; a giving that was costly and a sacrificial giving that would cause a painful and consistent attention. It is like sowing a seed and paying attention to its care that will bring forth manifestation. A sacrificial giving will provoke GodÕs hand in providing abundantly. The woman of Zarephath responded to Elijah by giving out a small portion of her little that was left. As a result of her giving from the little, it is recorded in 1Kings 17:15-16, ÒSo she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.Ó It is not just about giving; it is about a sacrificial giving. This was a giving that costs very much; a giving that was not regular because it came unexpectedly; a giving that comes out of a Òlittle leftÓ. It was a giving of not showing off, but showing forth faith. God oversees every action of man. Above all, God is the God of knowledge and by Him all actions are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3). Stop withdrawing your hand of giving in the face of Òlittle leftÓ. Ask God for the heart of giving through His grace. Little left will turn into left over and abundance will reign.