How Elisha helped a woman and her children in need

there is a wonderful story in II Kings that asks and answers questions about how God, divine Love, meets our every human need. The woman was a widow with two sons. When her husband, a follower of Elisha's died, she was left with debts she could not pay. At that time it was the custom that both she and her sons could be taken as slaves to work off the debt. She goes to Elisha for help. Here are some questions: What does Elisha say to her? 1. I will lend you the money. 2. Sorry, I can't do anything. 3. What do you have in the house? The answer is number 3. He begins to turn her thought from panic and lack to an answer that will meet the need.And answer she can provide. What does she say to him? 1. What, are you kidding? 2. If I had something I wouldn't be asking you for help. 3. There is only a pot of oil. The answer is number 3. She did have something in the house. What does he tell her to do with the pot of oil? 1. Good luck with that. 2. make us something to eat. 3. Go borrow empty vessels from your neighbors. borrow lots of pots. The correct answer is number 3. he is setting up her trust in a solution. The neighbors must have known her situation and that she may not have been able to return the pots. But she needs to do as he asks and she does. He has told her to pour out of her last remaining pot into the empty ones and then set aside those that are full. She does so until all the pots have been filled. In those times oil was a precious commodity used for food, fuel, treatment of leather, perfume, cosmetics and ritual offerings to God. She could have sold all those pots easily. what does she do next? she repays the debtor and is able to support her household with the proceeds. when we are faced with a lack of funds or income we need to turn to God for help. We need to obey the answer we get, even if it seems improbable. We are to use this as a lesson to see that creation comes from God and has an inexhaustable source that could never run out or be inadequate to meet the need. This helps us lean on the sustaining Infinite Love that always has met and always will meet every human need.