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COURSE CODE: CW – 304 – L
COURSE TITLE: COVENANT OF WEALTH.
QUESTION
Using a case study from the Bible, identify and explain in detail four principles on the power of gving.
ANSWER
PRINCIPLES ON THE POWER OF GIVING
1. Giving Requires Faith and Trust in God’s Provision
The first principle of giving demonstrated by the widow is that true giving requires faith and trust in God’s provision. In 1 Kings 17:12, the widow explains to Elijah that she has only a handful of flour and a little oil left, just enough to prepare a final meal for herself and her son before they die. Despite her desperate situation, Elijah asks her to make a small cake for him first, promising that God will ensure her supply will not run out.
The widow’s act of giving her last bit of food to Elijah was an extraordinary display of faith. She believed in the prophet’s word, trusting that God would provide for her needs. This principle is echoed throughout the Bible—giving often requires us to act in faith, trusting that God will replenish what we give. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Paul teaches that whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, but whoever sows generously will reap generously, emphasizing that God is able to provide abundantly so that we may continue to give.
2. Giving Opens the Door to Divine Provision
The second principle is that giving opens the door to God’s provision. After the widow obeyed Elijah’s instruction to give her last resources, a miracle occurred: her jar of flour and jug of oil never ran dry throughout the entire famine (1 Kings 17:15-16). God supernaturally provided for her and her son, ensuring they had enough to survive the drought.
This principle teaches us that when we give, especially in difficult circumstances, it creates an opportunity for God to intervene and provide for our needs. God often uses our giving as a channel through which His blessings flow. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” This scripture illustrates that God’s provision is often triggered by our willingness to give.
3. Giving Benefits the Giver and the Receiver
The third principle is that giving not only benefits the person receiving the gift but also the giver. In the case of the widow, her giving allowed her to receive both physical sustenance and spiritual growth. By choosing to share her limited resources, she experienced God’s provision in a personal and powerful way, which likely strengthened her faith.
This principle is evident in the broader biblical teaching that giving is a form of worship and obedience to God. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” This reflects the reciprocal nature of giving. When we give generously, not only do we meet the needs of others, but we also open ourselves up to receive blessings in return, whether those blessings are material or spiritual.
4. Giving Demonstrates Selflessness and Compassion
Finally, the story of the widow of Zarephath teaches that giving is an expression of selflessness and compassion. Despite her own dire circumstances, the widow showed compassion to Elijah by giving him her last meal. Her willingness to help someone else, even at great personal cost, demonstrates the selflessness that true giving requires.
Giving, especially in times of personal difficulty, is one of the purest forms of selflessness. It requires us to think beyond our own needs and to care for the needs of others. The Bible frequently encourages believers to give to those in need. In James 1:27, true religion is described as caring for orphans and widows in distress. This type of giving reflects God’s heart for the vulnerable and marginalized.
When we give out of compassion, we reflect God’s character and participate in His mission to care for the world. As seen in the widow’s story, God honors this kind of giving by ensuring that the giver is not left in need. Jesus highlighted the importance of selfless giving in Matthew 25:35-40 when He taught that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for Him.
CONCLUSION
The story of the widow of Zarephath teaches profound lessons about the power of giving. It shows that giving requires faith in God’s provision, opens the door to His blessings, benefits both the giver and the receiver, and demonstrates selflessness and compassion. These principles are as relevant today as they were in ancient times, reminding us that when we give, we are participating in a divine exchange where God uses our generosity to bless others and, in turn, blesses us in ways we may not expect.