Opus 19, He Giveth More Grace

Sunday we had a guest preacher.  He was having a great time preaching about grace.  He was in John 1 and quoted this verse:

(John 1:16 KJV)  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

He then was trying to encourage us about how grace would meet our needs.  I was with him.  Then he referred to the widow of Zarephath.  She is the one the prophet Elijah stayed with and eventually raised her son from the dead.  The preacher was talking about how we get grace on grace and he used as an example how the oil jar was full to the brim.  She would pour out what she needed and it would still be full to the brim.  Something struck me as wrong about that but I did not stand up and challenge him in the middle of the service.

Instead I went home and did some homework.  I might recommend that you do the same.  Listen with your Bible open and check out anything that sounds a little off.

I found nothing about an oil jar full to the brim.  Instead I found a much more realistic picture.  I found a jar that was never empty.

(1 Kings 17:16 KJV)  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.

What difference does it make?  There are times when God provides the promise of plenty.

(Luke 6:38 KJV)  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

But in my life it is usually more a matter of never being exhausted.  I think that is a better picture of the walk of faith.  God will provide, not what I want, but what I need.  I tend to lean a little better that way.  Why do rich people tend to find it hard to follow Jesus?  Because they think they can provide for themselves. 

So don’t worry if your pots are not overflowing.  Those are messy to clean up anyway.  Rejoice that there will always be enough to take the next step.