2Ki 4:1-6, 6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased.
Elisha helped a widow and her sons in debt after she cried out to him. Elisha instructed them to gather vessels from their neighbors. They then poured oil from her little jar into each vessel until they were all filled, and then the oil miraculously stopped flowing when the last vessel was full.
In reflecting upon this remarkable account, I am reminded of the insightful words shared by F.B. Meyer, “When our need is urgent, and we spread it before God, the question is never about the amount of oil, but of the empty vessels. We fear that there will not be enough oil; God is concerned lest we fail to bring sufficient vessels to hold all He wants to give. The oil was multiplied in the pouring, as the meal of the other widow was increased in the spending. God’s oil will never be exhausted so long as we can receive and impart. According to our faith will it be done. It is not a question of how much God can give, but how much we can use.” May I also add, It is not a question of how much God can give but how much we have room to receive. There is more than enough for every empty vessel. Vessels may run out, but never the oil.