&nbsp;

<strong>“THE POWER OF SACRIFICE”: FOUR KINDS OF GIVERS (2) – 1 Kings 17:14 NKJV</strong>

Bin People. In the middle of a devastating famine God sent the prophet Elijah to Zarephath, saying he’d meet a widow there who would feed him. Why did God not send Elijah to a wealthy family? Because they didn’t need a miracle, she did! When Elijah asked this woman who was already contemplating suicide for something to eat she told him that she’d ‘only a handful of flour in a bin’ (V.12). She had enough for one more meal, then she and her son would die. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Typical Preacher! They’ll take the last bite out of your mouth and the last penny out of your pocket.” No, this was the best day of her life! She was about to step into miracle territory. But first she had to overcome the fear of giving. “Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear… make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me… For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘the bin of flour shall not be used up… until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth (v. 13-14). How does this story turn out? “So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and the bin of flour was not used up”. Day after day, without fail, she reached into the bin and found more flour. She discovered that when you obey God’s word He will meet your every need. Are you a bin person? Are you afraid of letting go of what you have in case you don’t have enough? Don’t be. You will never out-give God! Whatever you give to Him, He has promised to give back good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over” (LK 6:38).  David said to Araunah “I cannot offer burnt offerings  to God that cost me nothing” (2 Sam 24: 24)

&nbsp;