What does this passage teach about God's ability to multiply our offerings? The Setting of 2 Kings 4:43 “His attendant asked, ‘How am I to set this before a hundred men?’ ‘Give it to the people to eat,’ Elisha replied, ‘for this is what the LORD says: “They will eat and have some left over.” ’ ” A Modest Gift, an Impossible Need • The servant sees only twenty small barley loaves (v. 42) against a crowd of a hundred. • From a human standpoint the math fails: scarcity outweighs supply. God’s Pledge to Multiply • Elisha speaks confidently: “This is what the LORD says.” • The promise is two-fold—everyone will eat and leftovers will remain. • The verse highlights God’s reputation being tied to His word: if He says it, He does it. How the Miracle Unfolds (v. 44) • The servant obeys, distributes, and “they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD”. • Multiplication happens in motion; the bread increases as it is given away, not while it sits in the servant’s hands. Biblical Echoes of Divine Multiplication • Exodus 16:13-18—manna matched each family’s need with “no shortage.” • 1 Kings 17:14—Elijah and the widow: “the jar of flour will not be exhausted.” • Matthew 14:19-20—Jesus feeds five thousand; twelve baskets remain. • 2 Corinthians 9:10—“He who supplies seed… will multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest.” • Malachi 3:10—God “opens the windows of heaven” when His people bring the tithe. Core Truths about God’s Ability to Multiply Our Offerings • He is not limited by quantity; He delights in using the small and simple. • His promise precedes performance; faith acts on what He says, not on what we see. • Obedience releases increase—resources multiply in the act of giving. • Leftovers showcase abundance; God provides more than survival, He displays surplus. • The same God acts consistently across both Old and New Testaments. Practical Steps of Faith Today • Offer what you have, even when it looks inadequate. • Trust the clear promises of Scripture concerning provision. • Put resources into circulation—serve, give, share. • Expect God to meet real needs and to create overflow for further generosity. |
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