We live in days when everyone talks about wealth creation. Through Scripture, God shows us many ways to overcome poverty. One of those ways is through ideas.

Consider the widow of Zarephath. When Elijah arrived, he found her gathering sticks. He asked her for water, and then for bread. The widow explained that she had only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. She was gathering sticks to prepare the last meal for herself and her son, after which they expected to die of hunger. Then Elijah told her: *”Do not be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son“* – 1 Kings 17:13. He then gave her God’s promise: *”The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.”* – 1 Kings 17:14 (NIV).

The miracle happened. The widow obeyed Elijah. She made the bread, and throughout the famine the flour did not run out and the oil did not run dry.

This story is instructive because it shows that even the little one has can become profitable in God’s hands. Sometimes we only think of big things, yet what we already have is what God wants to use. God can provide through unexpected people and unexpected resources. In this case, He used a poor widow’s meagre supplies to sustain His prophet.

We also see that faith often requires action before the miracle appears. The widow had to act on God’s word before she experienced the provision. And while she may have felt forgotten and unnoticed, the Lord was deeply interested in her situation.

When you face a period of lack, look to God for provision. He may give you an idea to take some idle resource sitting on a shelf and turn it into provision. More than anything, He invites you to demonstrate faith in action once you hear from Him.