Just Enough

Read Job 41

Read 1 Kings 17

Christians often refer to the 1 Kings 17 reading and point to God's incredible mercy to provide for our needs. And well they should! What an incredible miracle it was that the jar of oil and the jar of flour always ran out. Each day the widow poured out what was left and make a cake of bread. Each day there was more in the jar. We certainly do well to rejoice that God provides. We certainly do even better to recognize that God has given us what we need, and so much more as well!

But we can't ignore the fact that God didn't give the widow a full jar. In fact, she was asked to obey God and give the last of what she had to the prophet, Elijah. When she poured out the oil and the flour, there weren't an abundance of ingredients left over. But there was enough for Elijah's cake. And then there was enough for the widow and her son. And then there was enough for all of them the next day. And the next. And the day after that.

God didn't give the widow a full jar, and I don't think that many of us would say that our jar of abundance or jar of prosperity is full. Don't we all have those other things we think we need! Couldn't we all use a few less bills, a few more dollars, a few more comforts?

But maybe all that wouldn't be good for us. Maybe that would lead us away from trusting God. Maybe we should be thankful (instead of frustrated) that God doesn't give us the full jar. This way we grow in the daily life of faith. Daily we can look with trusting eyes to God to provide. Daily we can give thank to him for all that he has given. Daily we can learn to be content. Daily we can fight against the greed and covetousness. Daily we can thank God that he says "no" like a loving parent.

And ultimately, we can rejoice that we have a God who says "yes," to our eternal salvation, won for us through his own Son, Jesus Christ, who provides for all our spiritual needs through the cross.

Ask Yourself:

Am I finding it hard to be content? What am I coveting?

Am I frustrated that God doesn't provide more...that I have to struggle with the needs of this life?

How can I learn to thank God for providing "just enough"?

Pray:

Thank you for providing me with just enough. Help me to learn to be content. Help me to trust and love you always. Amen.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!