Work with What You've Got

WORK WITH WHAT YOU GOT

Main Text: 2 Kings 4:1-7 (AMP)

REVIEW

Luke 2:41 (NKJV) - The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." 49 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (KJV) 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT) 11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.

Luke 19:13 (NKJV) 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.'

Alignment Leads to Assignment

• So he sends his creation to oversee the expansion

Genesis 1:26-28 (AMP) 26 Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth

Create, Duplicate, Dominate

Matthew 6:33 (AMP) 33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Alignment Leads to Assignment – Fulfillment Comes

• Create

• Connect

• Contribute

Matthew 6:9-13 (AMP) 9 "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

A. We all have a talent

1 Peter 4:10 (AMP) 10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it

Romans 12:3 (AMP) as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]

NEW MATERIAL:

Main Text: 2 Kings 4:1-7 (AMP) - The Widow's Oil

1 Now one of the wives of a man of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha [for help], saying "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant [reverently] feared the Lord; but the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves [in payment for a loan]."

A. Here is a key point, she sought wisdom

Proverbs 20:18 (NLT) 18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without wise advice.

2 Kings 4:2 (AMP) 2 Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have [of value] in the house?" She said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a [small] jar of [olive] oil."

A. The 1st thing the prophet ask her

B. What do you have?

C. We often minimize what we have, but with God all things are possible

D. He didn't say to go get a job? That's going to take too long

E. The difference between a farmer and a hunter

F. Go into the sales business

3 Then he said, "Go, borrow containers from all your neighbors, empty containers—and not just a few.

A. I believe this is where most people struggle in their business

B. The prophet tells here to go out and ask

C. The bible tells us that we have not because we ask not

James 4:2 (AMP) 2 You do not have because you do not ask [it of God].

A. Notice who he tells them to ask? Go to your neighbor

B. Why your neighbor, because that the closest person to you

C. But too many of us don't want to ask people for assistance because we don't want people to think we are in need

D. Before the children of Israel left for the promised land God instructed them to ask their neighbor

Exodus 3:22 (AMP) 22 But every woman shall [insistently] ask her neighbor and any woman who lives in her house, for articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you are to plunder the Egyptians [leaving bondage with great possessions that are rightfully yours]."

Reason we don't ask for assistance

1. Fear of rejection
2. Fear of embarrassment
3. Lack of skill

2 Kings 4:4 (AMP) 4 Then you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out [the oil you have] into all these containers, and you shall set aside each one when it is full."

A. The start of a family business

B. This is reminder that your business should be your business

C. What God has for you is for you

D. We often don't want to work with what we already have

E. Your breakthrough is within your grasp

5 So she left him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing her the containers as she poured [the oil].

A. Your first employees are your family

B. A family business

C. My father receive a contract to wash the napkins for one of the airlines flying out of Fort Lauderdale

D. My father own a laundromat

E. And guess who was responsible for folding those napkins

F. Teamwork makes the dream work

6 When the containers were all full, she said to her son, "Bring me another container." And he said to her, "There is not a one left." Then the oil stopped [multiplying].

A. The first assembly line in the bible

B. The multiplication grew to the level of capacity

C. Have you giving God room to multiply

D. One of the reason we are building the new facility

7 Then she came and told the man of God. He said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest."

A. Notice after she followed the instructions, she went back for wisdom

B. Notice his advice go into the heating oil business, pay debt, and live on the rest

Other Examples of Working With What You Have

1 Kings 17:12-16 (AMP) But she replied, "As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die." "Do not be afraid," Elijah said to her. "Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.'" ...

Matthew 14:17 (NLT) "But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!" they answered.

Exodus 4:2-4 (BSB) 2 And the LORD asked him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied. 3 "Throw it on the ground," said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 "Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail," the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand.

Acts 3:6 (BSB) But Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"

John 2:3-9 (ESV) When the wine ran out, Jesus' mother said to Him,

John 6:35-38 (MSG) 35-38 Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don't really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own agenda but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.

2 Corinthians 9:8-11 (AMP) 8 And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him] and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 9 As it is written and forever remains written, "He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!" 10 Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit].

Discussion Questions

1. Elisha's first question to the widow was "What do you have?" Why is this the right starting question? How does God often use what we already have rather than giving us something new?
2. The widow had "nothing...except a small jar of oil." We often minimize what we have. What "small thing" do you have right now that God might want to multiply?
3. The prophet told the widow to ask her neighbors for containers. Why do we struggle to ask others for help? Which of the three reasons (fear of rejection, fear of embarrassment, lack of skill) resonates most with you?
4. The instruction was to borrow "not just a few" containers. The oil multiplied to the level of capacity—it stopped when there were no more containers. How might our small vision or limited preparation limit what God wants to do in our lives?
5. The widow was told to "shut the door" and work with her family. What does this teach about keeping your business (and God's work in your life) private rather than broadcasting it to everyone?
6. "Teamwork makes the dream work." The widow's sons were her first employees. How can families work together toward common goals? What family business or ministry could you start together?
7. After following instructions and experiencing the miracle, the widow went back to Elisha for wisdom on what to do next. Why is it important to seek godly counsel both before and after a breakthrough?
8. The notes provide multiple biblical examples of God asking "What do you have?" (Moses' staff, boy's lunch, Peter's gift of healing). What pattern do you see in how God uses ordinary things in extraordinary ways?
9. James 4:2 says "You do not have because you do not ask." What have you been hesitant to ask God for? What have you been hesitant to ask people for help with?
10. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 promises that God will "multiply your seed for sowing" and "increase the harvest of your righteousness." How does generosity create a cycle of multiplication in both spiritual and material blessings?

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