In this story of Elijah and the widow, we learn something about the manner in which God deals with people. The faith that is required of the widow in this story is the same kind of faith that God has demanded from his people throughout the rest of the Holy Scriptures, and it is the kind of the faith we are to have today.

During a time of great famine, the prophet Elijah comes to the home of a widow and her son requesting food and lodging. The only food she has left is some flour and oil, so when the Elijah asks her to bring some bread she responds, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a l little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in an prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” The prophet promises her that if she will make bread for him first, the flour and oil will not diminish until the famine is ended. At this point, the widow is faced with a choice – will she do that which is right from a human perspective, or will she trust God as he has spoken through this prophet? From a human perspective it would be foolish to relinquish this last bit of food when there is no hope of gaining more. Yet, this is what faith is about. It requires us to give all that we have to God – even when human wisdom dictates otherwise – and trusts that he will provide as he has promised.

It is worth noting that Elijah does not ask the woman to share the flour and oil with him, each taking a little portion from the whole. No, he says, “Make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.” God requires that we place him as first propriety in our lives. He does not ask us to share our time with him, but he wants us to give our time to him first. He does not require us to share our money and material blessings with him, but he tells us to give of these things to him first. As Jesus says in St. Matthew’s Gospel, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [food, clothing, etc.] will be added to you.”