2 Kings 4:2

What shall I do? The question revealed the kindly spirit of the prophet. Elisha was a man who was interested in the people, always friendly, always sympathetic, and always ready to help. When called upon by the king, he was ready to supply the wants of the whole army, when called on by a poor and friendless widow, he did not turn her away.

What hast thou? God uses what we have. He is not limited in His resources or His powers, and could easily have supplied the woman’s need without her pot of oil. But He took what she had and placed His blessing upon it. So it is with God’s servants today. They may not have much in natural ability or material resources, but if they devote what they have to God and His service, asking for His blessing, the little they have is increased manyfold. Man in his efforts to help the poor would do well to think in terms of helping them to help themselves. The poor should be taught to employ such resources as they themselves possess. Unless this is done, charity may pauperize and do more harm than good.

Save a pot of oil. The pot of oil was not much, but in God’s hand and with His blessing it was sufficient to supply all her needs. Our talents may not be many and our measure of worldly wealth may not be large, but God can use and increase whatever is devoted to Him. The pot of oil was the sign of the widow’s utmost poverty, but it was also the means employed by the Lord for the supplying of all her needs.