Liberality Commended
149
God to provide for her necessities. But even in her dire extremity,
she bore witness to her faith by a compliance with the request of the
stranger who was asking her to share her last morsel with him.
In response to Elijah’s request for food and drink, the widow said,
“As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal
in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two
sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may
eat it, and die.” Elijah said to her: “Fear not; go and do as thou hast
said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and
after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of
Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil
fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.”
No greater test of faith than this could have been required. The
widow had hitherto treated all strangers with kindness and liberality.
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Now, regardless of the suffering that might result to herself and child,
and trusting in the God of Israel to supply her every need, she met
this supreme test of hospitality by doing “according to the saying of
Elijah.”
Wonderful was the hospitality shown to God’s prophet by this
Phoenician woman, and wonderfully were her faith and generosity
rewarded. “She, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the
barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according
to the word of the Lord, which He spake by Elijah.”...
The widow of Zarephath shared her morsel with Elijah; and in
return, her life and that of her son were preserved. And to all who, in
time of trial and want, give sympathy and assistance to others more
needy, God has promised great blessing. He has not changed. His
power is no less now than in the days of Elijah.—
Prophets and Kings,
129-132
.
The Widow’s Two Mites
Jesus was in the court where were the treasure chests, and He
watched those who came to deposit their gifts. Many of the rich
brought large sums, which they presented with great ostentation. Je-
sus looked upon them sadly, but made no comment on their liberal
offerings. Presently His countenance lighted as He saw a poor widow
approach hesitatingly, as though fearful of being observed. As the rich