What Do You Have?

The story of the Widow and the Oil in 2 Kings 4:1-7 is a reminder to each of us that we take so much for granted. In these verses, a widow is threatened with losing her sons to an aggressive creditor. When she asked the prophet Elisha for help, he asked her "What do you have?" Since she was destitute, she could think of nothing. She had nothing. He asked the question again and again, until she responded that she had a small bit of oil.
 
Elisha told her to borrow empty jars from her neighbors and fill them with oil. Then the Lord multiplied her only possession—a small amount of oil—until all the jars were filled to the brim. She sold the oil and paid her debts to free her children from slavery.
 
The same God who provided supernaturally for the widow is asking you "What do you have?"  That question can take on many different meanings as it relates to our stewardship of what God has given us. Too many times when the Church talks about stewardship it relates to a capital campaign, Annual appeal, increase in the weekly offertory or other financial needs.  And the area of our talents and gifts is ignored.
 
In addition to our fiscal resources, God has also given us our gifts and talents. And he has given us the specific gifts and talents we need to serve him in the way he has made us. If you are like me, it's easy to see the talents of others and compare ourself to them. When we do that, we often find that our talents seem to be insignificant compared to others.
 
I have many friends with beautiful voices who sound like they belong to a choir of angels. They  make a joyful noise when they sing.  Me? I just make noise which is not too joyful.  But I know God gave me that voice and when I sing I am praising him.  And just like a parent who watches their child perform, God delights in my singing, even if the people beside me in the pew don't.
 
I also have many friends who work one-on-one with the homeless or women faced with an unexpected pregnancy. I am very much an introvert and the one-on-one counseling is not comfortable or natural for me.
 
My gift is working in the background, using computer programs and spreadsheets to get things organized. It took me a long time to appreciate that my gifts and talents may not be the same as other people but they are the way God has called me to serve him.  And support people in the background are every bit as important as those people on the front lines.
 
If you ever doubt the gifts and talents God's given you, meditate on 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
 
This can be summed up in a quote from St. Dominic Savio "I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God." Here's praying you can discern and appreciate the talents and gifts God's given you so you can use them for his glory.
 

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