Do you remember a time in your life when you were at the end of your rope, when you had nothing left to give? That feeling of being at or near empty is understandably paralyzing. The prospect of moving at all, let alone, in the right direction can seem impossible.
In this Sunday’s text, 1 Kings 17:1-24, we meet a widow facing desperate scarcity. When Elijah asks for bread, she responds, “I have only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug.” Yet, despite her fear of having nothing left, she shares what little she has—and discovers that God’s provision sustains them both. One way to read this story is that generosity isn’t about having abundance but about trusting in God’s ability to multiply what we offer.
Author Parker Palmer reminds us, “The good life comes not from security, but from the capacity to live with openness to others and to life.” Generosity calls us to move beyond fear, scarcity, and self-preservation, inviting us to trust in God’s abundance. In every act of giving—whether small or great—we participate in God’s unfolding work of renewal.
As we begin this new worship series, “Generous Spirit,” we’ll reflect together on how God’s generosity shapes our lives and calls us to respond with faith. Just as the widow’s willingness to give led to unexpected blessings, our acts of generosity create space for God to work in ways we cannot always foresee.
This series invites us to consider: What might God do through our gifts, even when we feel stretched thin? As we embark on our 2025 Annual Giving Campaign, let’s trust in the God who turns scarcity into enough and fear into hope. Together, may we live with open hands and hearts, ready to share God’s abundance and love with the world.
May God’s peace find you today. -Pastor Peter
Let’s pray… Generous God, teach us to trust in your abundance. Open our hearts to give, even when we feel uncertain, and use our gifts to bless others. Amen.