Jars of Oil: What’s in Your House?

Today we’re talking about something so small, it’s easy to overlook—oil.

No not the kind you put in your car or fry chicken in—but the kind in the Bible that turned a widow’s nothing into more than enough.

Ever felt like you didn’t have much to offer? Like life handed you a little jar and said, “Good luck”?

Well, friend, what’s in your house might just be all God needs to work a miracle.

Let’s get into it!

Our scripture for today is 2 Kings 4:2 (NLT) — “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.

Let’s talk about how God multiplies what we already have—even if it looks like just a little jar of oil. Don't underestimate small things!

Have you ever looked around and thought, “I’ve got nothing”?

I know my kids do this when they’re looking for something to eat. They say, “We have no food.” I generally answer, “No, we have food—just nothing that you want.”

We often overlook what we have. The widow in the scripture thought she had nothing—until it was pointed out to her, and then she realized she had one small jar. Sometimes, what we see as not enough is exactly what God wants to use.

There was a time I thought I had nothing to offer—seriously, nothing. I didn’t see much in what I had to give or in my worth to others. But I started using my time, my words, and my faith, even when it felt small.

I started being intentional with what God had given me and began to take notice of everything—and it turns out, God does big things with little beginnings.

Sometimes, with the way this world is, we can feel as though we’re missing out or have nothing to offer. BUT God gives blessings every day. Even the very breath you’re breathing is a gift.

When we start focusing on the fact that all we have belongs to God—because He provides—our perspective changes.

It’s so easy to look at someone else’s “jars”—their gifts, talents, or blessings—and feel like yours don’t measure up. But Elisha didn’t ask the widow what her neighbor had. He asked her what was in her house.

What’s your jar of oil? Maybe it’s kindness. Maybe it’s a gift for organizing. Maybe it’s just being present. Today, take a look around—God’s already given you something to work with. Take notice and know that God is using you.

If you don’t know what it is, ask God to help you see it.

The widow we have been talking about in the Bible who needed to pay a debt but felt like she had nothing to offer. But God saw otherwise. And the miracle didn’t happen when the widow had the oil—it happened when she used it.

What are you holding on to that God wants you to start pouring out?

The other this is that the widow didn’t just sit there with her oil—she borrowed jars, she got to work, and she poured.

Sometimes you have to act on what you believe before the miracle comes. Faith isn’t just belief; it’s movement.

As a parent, there have been seasons where I had to give even when I didn’t feel like I had much—time, energy, or resources. I know we are all able to give and pour into others, and it feels exhausting. But once we start pouring, things start flowing.

And suddenly, though we are pouring, we start noticing that we are being filled—Why? Because God is refueling us.

Maybe that’s the key: starting small but also taking notice of how you can be filled up as you go.

Of course, this is all about attitude as well. When thinking about this widow who was told to gather all the jars she could, she didn’t argue or delay—she just did it.

That simple obedience set her up for provision.

Remember our scripture for today: 2 Kings 4:2 (NLT) — “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.

What has God asked you to do that you’ve maybe been putting off, waiting for a “better time”?

If you’re waiting for more before you start, remember—God’s asking you to pour what you already have. He’ll handle the multiplying.

It’s all about being obedient and just doing what God has asked us to do, no matter how ready we think we are. Remember—God’s timing is better than ours, and if He says it’s now, then it’s time.

Here’s the deal: the oil only stopped flowing when the jars ran out. What does that mean for us? Maybe i's that the miracle keeps going as long as we make room for it.

The widow’s debt was paid in full—and that’s because she offered every empty jar she had. Offer all you have!

What does making room for God look like for you today? For me, it has been making sure I take time to spend with God and really listen and see what He has for me. For you, it might be clearing your schedule, letting go of fear, or trusting again. When you create space, God fills it.

The widow paid off her debts and lived on the rest. That’s not survival—that’s overflow. God’s provision is never barely enough; it’s more than enough.

What if we lived like we really believed that?

Let’s be honest—are there areas in your life where you're holding the lid on your jar? Afraid to give, afraid to serve, afraid to trust? You aren’t alone in that. We all have seasons of, “I can’t take on one more thing, so I’m gonna hold tight to where I am.”

The good news is—God sees you.

God’s not done pouring, but He’s waiting for you to open up.

Don’t worry about how full your jar looks—just be willing to pour.

Trust that the God who filled that widow’s jars can do the same with whatever you’ve got.

All He needs is your yes.

God isn’t limited by what you don’t have. He’s looking at what’s already in your house, your heart, your hands. Whether it’s a little oil or a big dream, He can use it. So take that jar, start pouring, and trust that He will do the rest.