God’s Hidden Treasure

1.      The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he feared the Lord. But now the creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

2.      Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

2 Kings 4:1-2

So What’s the Problem?

Single motherhood is and perhaps, has always been one of the most unstable family structures in the world. There is so much uncertainty when the entire burden of parenting rests on the shoulders of one person. While we could certainly raise the question of where is the man, such an inquiry may not be as helpful as trying to find the resources needed to take care of the family. It would be well worth our time to look at the numbers of families that fall into this category of single motherhood.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2023, there are over 15.6 million single mother households in the United States. These households would include divorcees, widows, and unmarried women. What is also concerning is that two parent homes have a household income of around $80,000 per year, while the single mother household earns an average of $26,000 per year (according to the Pew Research Center). By the way, the United States has the highest rate of single mom households in over 130 nations in the world. That rate is 23% of households based on Pew Research Center data for 2017. While there are households led by single fathers, 80% of households are led by single moms plus the single dad households have significantly more income. A big question is whether single mom households is a problem and whether it has an impact on the lives of children?

Thankfully, the Bible addresses the needs of all including those of single moms. These verses in 2 Kings provide some helpful insights into the role that the Church can play in helping single mothers. Traditionally, the Church has taken a judgmental approach to dealing with single mothers and assumed that either something was done wrong or that all that is necessary is to find a husband. Elisha, the prophet provides us with a different approach to helping these at risk households. There were three critical things that Elisha did that Churches need to do to imitate if we are going to help these families through their crisis. First, learn to listen closely to those that are in need without finding fault. Second, ask helpful questions to determine what resources are available to meet their needs. Third, provide insightful directions so that the family will be able to participate in finding the solution to their problem.

God Listens

This widow with two sons approached Elisha in panic. She did not know what to do because a creditor was going to take her two sons as slaves. This would not only have meant financial ruin for the two boys but also for her as mother. Elisha, as a prophet of God, reminds us of something that God always does when it comes to those in need. God listens. It may not seem like it to us, but God listens. Yes, He has the resources. Yes, God can certainly turn things around. Yes, God already knows what we need before we even ask Him. But it is important to note that God listens.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them. Psalm 34:17. God is listening to those who call on Him for help. Even in cases where we have gotten ourselves into trouble, God listens and cares. Sometimes it is difficult for us to believe that God is listening because the problem may seem too great or that time has passed and it is too late for God to respond. Those are our fears and they hinder us from calling on God. But we must always remember that God listens and He cares for all who call on Him.

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he feared the Lord. But now the creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” Elisha represented God and therefore this mother in need called on the prophet for help. You and I now realize that Jesus has given us direct access to God’s Throne. We don’t have to go to the preacher, the priest, or anyone else to pray. We can pray to God directly because we have been given that authority by the Lord Jesus Christ. Someone has said, “the only prayer that God will not answer is the prayer that you don’t pray.” So make the call. This widow called and her request was heard.

Do You Realize What You Already Have?

Rather than just giving the widow instructions, Elisha asked her to evaluate what she already had. This is the center of our text. We need to pay attention to the hidden resources that God has already provided in our lives. Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” The widow’s first response was that there was nothing at all. Isn’t that just like us?

If we don’t have what someone else has, we minimize what we do have.

If we don’t have something in abundance, we down-play it as if it were nothing.

If what we have is not what we want, we count it as worthless.

So often, it’s the small things that add up to the greatest miracle. We must realize and recognize what is already in our possession before we ask for something else. The woman recognized an exception. She had a small jar of olive oil. Your possession may only be a few pennies. It may simply be some other resource that has been overlooked and undervalued. Instead of looking at it from your eyes, look at it from God’s perspective, because it may be your miraculous resource. Answer the question, “what do you have in your house?”

Another big problem for struggling mothers is that they assume because they have nothing that makes them a nobody. That is not the way God measures the value of a person. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. It is critical that the Church asks people questions for a couple of reasons. If you don’t ask questions, how will you really know how to help? Don’t make assumptions about people. Don’t assume that one size fits all when it comes to meeting the needs of others.

Ask questions also to remind yourself that you don’t know everything. Ask the important questions because then you get people to open up and to help them understand their deeper need. God asked people questions. God asked Abraham, “Is there anything too hard for God?” God asked Moses, “what is that you have in your hand?” God asked Ezekiel, “can these bones live?” Then He commanded the Prophet to speak to the dry bones and they came together as a mighty army.

What is the question that you need to ask God. Is it why? Is it how long? Or, is it Lord, what would you have me to do? Don’t assume. Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find. So Elisha asked the widow and she responded. Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

Acting on What You Believe

Once you know the question, then you can adequately prepare for service. For too long, the Church has approached people problems with assumptions rather than having faith in God. The widow was now in a position to act on faith. She had to rely on her source of oil which was a small jar. She also had to rely on the instructions provided by the Prophet. Elisha instructed her to go around and ask all the neighbors for all the empty jars they had available. Then she was told to go inside and shut the door. Finally, she was instructed to fill each jar and put it aside. Faith can only work when all the instructions are followed. Many people will do half of what God says or simply believe that God will do it all. God demands your participation and your cooperation.

Nowhere in the Bible does God tell His children to sit idly by and everything will be handed to them. The children of Israel had to walk through the Red Sea. When God provided them Manna in the wilderness, they were commanded to go out and gather it from the ground. Even when God fought the battle for them as in the case of King Jehoshaphat, the Lord commanded them to go down to the battlefield in order to “see the Salvation of the Lord.” God’s work is a participatory work.

As the woman and her sons started pouring, the oil flowed. The oil did not cease until all the vessels were completely filled. Then, rather than assuming she could simply take the oil and do as she pleased, the widow reported back to the Prophet everything that had happened. The man of God then informed her to pay her debt and to live on the rest of the proceeds. What a remarkable blessing! The same can happen today if the principles of God’s Word are followed.

In closing, it would be simple just to say that a miracle happened in the life of this single mother. God met her need and brought a blessing to her household. Yet, when you look on the deeper side of how God worked the situation out, that is when you discover the Hidden Treasure of God. Here are three takeaways:

First, always count the blessing before you count the problems. The blessing is so often out of sight because too much attention is focused on what’s wrong. Change your focus and it will cause you to appreciate what God has already provided. Remember, no matter how bad the situation, you can always count on something that God has given.

Second, instead of looking for miracles ask God to show you ministry. Yes, God is a miracle working God and will continue to perform them. But you and I will never understand miracles without grasping what ministry means. To serve others is a glorious opportunity to not only see the Hand of God, but to also seek the Face of God. The Lord wants you involved in what He is doing. Ministry involves a couple of areas. See what others need. Seek God. Give others what God has given you. Praise God for the results. That’s ministry.

Lastly, have confidence in the things God has called you to do. Don’t allow the problems of others to overwhelm you to the point that you want to give up. This world is filled with heartache and it would be easy just to withdraw and say, “that’s not my problem.” That, however, is not the mind nor heart of God. Simply do what God has given to you and watch the Lord reveal the Hidden Treasure of Grace.