The poor widow was about to lose her children as slaves because she couldn’t pay her bills. She called on Elisha who instructed her to gather all the empty jars she could find, she was even instructed to borrow whatever she could from her neighbors and then fill them from the one little jar of olive oil that she possessed. In verse three, he instruct her “do not gather just a few.” It became clear why later. When she asked her son for another jar, he told her there was no more and just as miraculously as the oil started to flow, it stopped!  The amount of miraculous oil she would receive would be limited only by the number of vessels she was willing to collect. Dilday observes, “so the extent of the resolution of her crisis was directly proportionate to the degree of her faith.”

Ephesians chapter three ends with a benediction to Christ. It says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…” We expect little and we get little.

Jesus called those around him people of “little faith” at least five times. These are very instructive to us. First, our faith is often little when we think of God’s providential care for us. In Matthew 6:30, Jesus said, “If that is how God clothes the  grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is  thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O  you of little faith?” Second, our faith is little when we face trials and struggles. In Matthew 8:26, Jesus said, “?You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Third, our faith is little when we doubt God’s ability, love, or compassion. In Matthew 14:31, we read, “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, ?he said, why  did you doubt??” Fourth, our faith is often little in the way we think. In Matthew 16:8, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?” Finally, our faith is small concerning accomplishing the mission God has given us. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.?”

“I believe, I believe! Lord help my unbelief!”

Chuck
“Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can lie with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11