2 Kings 4:42-44 (NRSV)
Read 2 Kings 4:42-44 on biblegateway.com
Verse 42A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, "Give it to the people and let them eat." Verse 43But his servant said, "How can I set this before a hundred people?" So he repeated, "Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, 'They shall eat and have some left.'" Verse 44He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.
Devotion
Elisha’s servant questions his wisdom when told to feed a hungry crowd with a sack of 20 loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain. “That’s not enough!” he balks. But not only is it enough, there are leftovers, too.
How often do we servants question the wisdom of our Master? “We just don’t have enough,” we lament. In our minds, there’s never enough money, time or energy to share what we’ve been given with others. And yet those who offer their gifts generously are also those who discover the endless supply of God’s blessings.
Thankfully, God doesn’t give up on us, just like Elisha didn’t give up on his servant. Both masters keep repeating the command, inviting their servants again and again to experience the surprising joy of God’s abundance.
Prayer
Amazing God, open our hearts and minds to trust that when we live in your abiding presence, there is always enough to go around. Amen.