WHAT YOU HAVE IS ENOUGH

2 KINGS 4:1-7

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

A man had gone into debt, mortgaged his two sons, died in that debt and then the creditor came to collect. A widow in Bible times was in trouble. This one had no husband, no brothers or other family that could help apparently and her sons were too young to work off the debt. She came to Elisha and he asked, “What do you have?”

Try to imagine the conversation. He says, “What do you have?” Something?” “Nothing.” “You must have something.” “Just a little oil.” “What you have is enough to do what God wants you to do!”

My friends, what you have is enough to do everything God Almighty is going to hold you responsible for doing! What I have is enough to do everything God Almighty is going to hold me responsible for doing! What we have is enough to do everything God Almighty is going to hold us responsible for doing!

 

I. WHAT DID SHE HAVE? [v. 1-2]

 

She had a little olive oil. In those days if you had olive oil you had everything! Medicine for wounds [the good Samaritan teaches us that] both externally and internally. You had something to fry your eggs in. You even had something to grease your wagon axles with so they would turn.

Olive oil is an illustration, a type of the Holy Spirit. That’s why the priests and the kings were anointed with it- to illustrate their need of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to do what God wanted them to do. If you are saved, YOU have the Holy Spirit and that’s what you need.

 

II. WHAT COULD SHE DO? [v. 3-4]

 

He said, “What do you have?” “A little oil.” It is enough to do what God wants you to do. Listen, you may not have enough to do what God wanted Paul to do- but if you don’t have it- He won’t expect you to do it and He won’t hold you accountable for it!

You may not have enough to do what God wants Ed Frampton of IBJM to do but you have enough to do everything God wants you to do! You may not have enough to do what God wants the Evangelists at the Bill Rice Ranch to do but you have enough to do everything God wants you to do! You may not have enough to do what God wants our missionaries to do but you have enough to do everything God wants you to do!

 

III. WHAT DID SHE DO? [v. 5-7]

 

If you ought to do it – you can do it. Phil. 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. God would not ask us to do something we can’t do- He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Think of Moses- raised in Egypt, ran from Egypt, raised sheep for forty years, saw the burning bush, what did he have? A staff? He was given a job… the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, 40 years God provided in the wilderness… What he had was enough.

Think of David- wanted to see a battle but there was no fight but there was a giant. David’s cause. Hey, David, what do you have? “A sling.” What he had was enough.

What you have is enough! I don’t know what God has for you to do… but what you have is enough!

 

She (the widow) borrowed. Imagine at home with her boys and the borrowed vessels. She asked for the small vessel first. Then another. Then another. Then she probably started getting excited. Bring me a big one. And another…

What you have is enough if you have enough faith to take God at His Word and use it!

Moody ran into Philip Bliss and said I have been looking for you for years. You need to be in full-time gospel work! “I have a family.” “Where’s your faith?” “I don’t have any.” “Borrow some of mine!”

 

Naaman dipped 7 times in muddy Jordan by borrowing the “faith” of his servants, complaining the whole time until the 7^th time.

David said, “Is there not a cause?” God sent helpers along side of Moses to help him when his faith was weak. Paul had helpers in the ministry. The widow went to Elisha and said what do I do now?” “Pay your debts!”

 

Do what is right, give God what you have, use it by faith and God will take care of you today and in the days ahead. What you have is enough!

note:I found this message which I had preached in 1990 in Dunlap, Tn. and in Florida in 1999. I know I have heard the title used elsewhere but as far as I know this message was influenced but not copied from many similar messages I have heard over the years.