Bring God Your Jars

Today we’re talking about jars. Not the kind holding leftover spaghetti sauce—but the ones we carry inside us: our hopes, our worries, our needs.

In 2 Kings 4, a widow was about to lose everything, and all she had was a tiny bit of oil. But God didn’t ask her for what she didn’t have—He asked her to bring her jars. The empty ones. And then He filled them.

That’s our reminder this morning: bring God what you’ve got, even if it feels small or empty. He knows how to multiply it.

2 Kings 4:3–6 (NLT)“And Elisha said, ‘Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house… and pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.’ So she did… and soon every container was full to the brim!”

Let’s start by identifying what 'jars' we’re holding in our hands today.

What are you needing God to fill? What have you been trying to fill yourself? What are you seeking out?

We can also think about three areas where you feel emotionally or spiritually empty and bring those to God today in prayer as well.

Sometimes we feel like we have to have it all together to come to God. But we don’t, though. The widow in our scripture today didn’t bring full jars—she brought empty ones, and God used those empty jars.

Are you willing to come to God as you are, emptiness and all?

“Borrow” is a big word… Oftentimes, it is hard for us to ask to borrow something—or even just for help.

But the widow in our scripture today had to go and ask others for their jars, and that took some humility.

Can you just imagine the conversation? She goes and asks for any empty jars, and they ask why, and she says, “Well, this man of God just told me to gather as many empty jars as I can, and he would help me pay my debt…” I’m sure they were like, “Okay… here you go…”

Sometimes we borrow faith from those around us. Leaning into others when we can’t stand on our own really helps us out.

So, if you need prayer, reach out to someone and ask them to pray for you.

What’s in your house? Both literally and spiritually…

Kind of personal, I know—but this is what Elisha asked the widow in our scripture in 2 Kings 4.

He asked her this because before they were going to go searching for a solution, he wanted to seek out what she already had—what maybe she didn’t think could be useful but actually could be. Sometimes we are so close to the situation we can’t see what others can.

What’s in your “house” that you’ve overlooked?

Don’t underestimate anything, because God can use anything.

2 Kings 4:3–6 (NLT)“And Elisha said, ‘Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house… and pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.’ So she did… and soon every container was full to the brim!”

Now that we’ve brought our jars, let’s talk about the process. Because sometimes God asks us to pour before He fills. That’s what faith looks like. Moving before the solution becomes clear is hard.

When we bring all we have to God, we sometimes do that in quiet surrender because we need to be fully in the presence of God. Right there in that surrender is where miracles can happen as well.

Elisha told the woman in our scripture to shut the door and fill her jars with oil in private. In private surrender, you are connecting with God in a pure way. That connection will be so deep, and God often works powerfully in private. Sometimes the miracle is just for you.

What private place in your life do you need to invite God into? Sit with Him and bring Him your need.

I think when we are seeking out something from the Lord, we want it all at once—but maybe it is to be given to us in a slow and steady way.

When the woman was filling the jars, it was slow and consistent, but also—that oil never stopped flowing until all her jars were full.

Don’t rush the process of the Lord—not that you could—and remember that God will supply all that is needed. He won’t leave us stuck.

So, keep showing up and bring all your jars to Him. Ask for everything needed and expect God to hear you. Pray BOLD prayers and be specific.

2 Kings 4:3–6 (NLT)“And Elisha said, ‘Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house… and pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.’ So she did… and soon every container was full to the brim!”

God doesn’t just want to fill your jars once—He wants to create a rhythm of trust and obedience. What if we lived as people who always had a jar ready to bring to God?

What would it look like to live in expectancy?

In our prayers, we ask for things and then feel like we have to say, “If it’s Your will.” That’s almost like saying… “I know You can, God, but…” The Bible tells us to ask for what we want and be expectant of an answer from the Lord. Now, the answer may be different than what we want—but it is still an answer. So ask God all you want and be expectant of an answer, but don’t doubt Him.

What if you started each day by saying, “Here’s my jar, Lord,” and knew that He would use you?

Begin your day with a simple prayer of availability. Living with open hands keeps us from running dry.

One thing that we can be sure of is that God doesn’t just meet your need—He equips you to meet someone else’s.

In our scripture today, the widow had enough oil to live on—and to bless others.

Use the abundance that God has given you to pour into others. Who in your life needs a little of your overflow?

Ask God how you can help them, and let Him fill you to overflowing so you can bless them.

We are lifelong jar-carriers—always in need, always with God’s provision.

Stay available, open, and full of faith. The miracle isn’t in the jar—it’s in the One who fills it.

Today, whether you feel empty or overflowing—bring your jar. Big or small, chipped or clean, He’s asking for what you have. And He’ll do the miracle. One jar at a time. Let Him fill you today with peace, purpose, and provision.

And don’t forget—you’re not the source. You’re the vessel.