God Provides: "What Do You Have?" Widow and Oil Sampel

Because of her husband’s death, the widow was in debt. Her situation illustrates the truth of Proverbs 22:7: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (NASB). Perhaps the widow’s situation isn’t so far from your own. Maybe you’re in debt because of an unexpected event and it’s causing you stress. You feel enslaved to the creditors and wondering what you can do to alleviate what’s owed. Look to the widow for inspiration. REFLECT: Imagine that you are in the widow’s situation right now. The creditor has just told you the bad news, and you are paralyzed with fear. What might you do? Why? Why do you think God chose to have the widow participate in her own provision? Why was it important for her children and neighbors to play a part as well?