2 Kings 4 is story after story about God’s provisions for those who believe in Him and do His will. 

There was a widow of a prophet who approached Elisha because she apparently could not pay her bills.  As a result, the creditors were going to come and take away her two male sons to make them slaves.  As you know in ancient times, women were nothing without a husband or a male child to provide for them and carry on the family name.  It was bad enough she was broke, but to take away her two sons would most definitely be not only her complete financial ruin, but would leave her with no hope for her future existence.  On the advice from Elisha, she gathers containers from everyone she knew.  The Lord then takes what little oil she has in the house and multiplies it in such a way that every container she has borrowed is filled to the rim with oil. It is not until she runs out of jars to fill that the oil stops flowing.  She was then able to sell the oil. It was not only enough to pay of the creditor, but it was enough money for her and her sons to live comfortably.  Just as the Psalmist David said, “My cup overflows.”

Then there was a wealthy  Shunammite woman who had opened her house to Elisha whenever he was in town. She recognized Elisha as being a man of God and simply offered him the hospitality of his own room and food to eat. She had never asked for anything in return.  Elisha greatly appreciated this and wanted to give her something in return. But again, she told him she wanted for nothing.   Elisha’s personal servant was observant however, and recognized her husband was old and they had no son.  Very much like the first story, this was an indication that life could become very difficult for her in the future.  As a result, even though she asked for nothing, Elisha gave her the promise of a son, which was fulfilled a year later.  Sadly, a few years later the boy became suddenly ill and died the same day.  Much to my surprise, because I would have been beside myself with sadness, she calmly told her husband she was going to go see Elisha.   As Elisha saw her approaching from a distance, he sent his servant to ask if anything was wrong. Again, she replied much the same way as she had many years before, “Everything is all right.” When she reached Elisha she reminded him she never asked him for anything, but that her son was now dead.  I find it interesting the Bible does not record her asking Elisha to heal him or raise him from the dead.  Again, I think this speaks volumes to her character.  In the end, God’s provision is remarkable and Elisha raises her son from the dead!  God gave her what she needed TWICE!  “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11 and she didn’t even ask!!!

And finally, during a great famine, God turned human error, poisonous stew, that was going to result in sure death for his prophets into a provision of plenty. Elisha added meal to the stew which miraculously counter-acted the poison saving all who ate it.  This was followed by a man whose twenty loaves of barley bread fed a group of 100 Godly men, most likely the same group of prophets simply upon the word given by Elisha.  They ate, were filled and again had leftovers all during a time of famine.  “Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?'…for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Matthew 6:31

In all three cases, God did not just satisfy an immediate need. Instead, he made sure each person was taken care of for the days and even years to come.  He was not stingy in His provisions, but lavished each individual with what they needed, and did not ask for as in the case of the Shunnamite woman.  As James 1:5 said, “You should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  I was struck by the Shuanmmite woman because she did not ask for anything in return for providing a place of rest for Elisha. She was hospitable out of the goodness of her heart and recognition of a need to help a man of God.  Just as Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”  Then there’s the widow. As a single mom I was touched by God’s care for her.  I think all these stories show us God wants to give us more than just enough to get by. He wants to reward our faith with plenty .  1 John 3:1 tells us “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” The only thing requires of us is to ask and believe that He is a God of plenty, not just enough.