In the closing message of a missions conference, Dr. Kevin Folger draws from the dramatic account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath to challenge believers on faith, obedience, and sacrificial giving. This timeless narrative from 1 Kings reveals how God orchestrates provision amid drought and despair, inviting His people to participate in His work through surrender and trust. As commitments are made for global missions, the sermon emphasizes that true blessing flows when we align our limited resources with God’s unlimited plans.
God Seeks to Involve People When There are Legitimate Needs
God raises up individuals during critical moments in His work, as seen when He called Elijah to confront the wicked King Ahab amid Israel’s spiritual decline. The nation had divided, with no godly king in the northern tribes, and Ahab surpassed all in evil, influenced by Jezebel. Elijah boldly declared no dew or rain except by his word, initiating divine judgement. God then directed him to the hidden brook Cherith for sustenance through ravens, demonstrating miraculous care even in isolation. When the brook dried up due to the drought affecting the entire land, God sent Elijah to Zarephath, outside Israel in Jezebel’s homeland, to be sustained by a destitute widow. This unlikely choice highlights how God involves ordinary people in legitimate needs, whether supporting prophets or funding missions and local church operations. Pastors face immense pressures with utilities, salaries, and facilities, yet God stirs His people in the pews to partner financially. Every contribution to missions enables souls to be reached in distant lands, creating eternal partnerships where givers share in the heavenly reward of salvations they helped facilitate.
God Blesses the Individual that Hears and Reacts to God’s Plans
Elijah exemplified obedience by confronting Ahab, hiding at Cherith, and relocating to Zarephath, humbling himself to receive from a widow. She, too, responded to God’s prior command to sustain the prophet, despite her poverty. Personal stories illustrate this blessing, such as a father’s sacrifice of a restored 1932 Auburn classic car to fund church parking lot renovations costing what equated to millions today. He heard God’s call amid the need and prioritised gospel advancement over personal enjoyment. Such acts of hearing and reacting stretch faith but invite divine intervention. In missions, God calls some to go and others to send through giving, limiting Himself to human instrumentality to grow our trust. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God, and giving expresses this faith precisely, allowing us to witness Him accomplish the impossible.
God Blesses the One That Surrenders What they Have
The widow, gathering sticks for her final meal, confessed she had only a handful of meal and a little oil, intending to eat and die with her son. Yet Elijah instructed her to fear not and make a little cake for him first. Surrendering her scant resources seemed daunting, especially with a hungry child, but she obeyed. God blessed this surrender, ensuring the barrel of meal wasted not and the cruse of oil failed not until rain returned. This principle applies today; what seems insufficient in our hands becomes miraculous when yielded to God. Churches rely on surrendered gifts for light bills, heat, insurance, and staff pay, far beyond personal utilities. Surrendering as little as it may appear invites God’s multiplication, fostering growth in faith and involvement in His global work.
There Are Times We Must Give First and Trust God to Meet Our Needs
The widow baked the cake for Elijah before providing for herself and her son, trusting his promise despite empty cupboards. Returning to the barrel seres yielded just enough for the next meal, day by day, until provision ceased with the drought. Had she refused, starvation likely awaited; obedience brought sustained life for her household and the prophet. In commitments tonight, economic uncertainties loom, yet giving to God hedges against inflation through His care. Stories abound of God providing miraculously for those who honour Him first. Listen for God’s voice on your pledge, not human reasoning. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and outperforms any government. Surrender stretches us uncomfortably but positions us for miracles, as in pastoral roles or missions support. Faith giving partners us in legitimate work here at FaithWay Baptist Church and worldwide, yielding blessings no withholding can match.
Conclusion
The story of Elijah and the widow stands as a powerful reminder that God delights in using surrendered lives to display His glory. Whether through a prophet’s bold proclamation, a widow’s last meal, or our missions pledges tonight, obedience in the face of scarcity unlocks heavens storehouses. As you fill out your commitment card, step out in faith, give first, and watch God sustain not only His work but your household as well. The soul that surrenders discovers that God’s barrel never empties and His cruse never fails. May Faithway Baptist Church continue to experience multiplied provision as we partner together in taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.
