Rediscovering Your Greatest Assets in Life
His Words, Our Life – Practical Christian Living Series
Holy Book Reference : 2 Kings 4:1-7 – Elisha and the Woman with her little oil
rediscovering our greatest assets in life . the woman and prophet elisha . the woman and her little oil . the little oil in the jar . filling empty jars with oil . elisha and the woman of faith .
We are created in the image and likeness of God and so therefore there is something inside us that we should rediscover if we want to 
succeed in this complex life. We have no right to complain before our maker if our lives seemed mediocre and not moving forward simply because God already provided us all we need before our existence. And in our existence, we’ve got to make sure that we bring God the glory he deserved for He created us for His Glory!
In this topic, we are going to discuss another important character in the bible who, like you and I, gone through challenges and difficulties in life. But because she rediscovered, used, and maximized her inner assets, she and her family became overcomer in the end.
Looking at our reference verses in the bible, we can see…
The Four Liabilities of the Woman
- The woman’s husband died
- The woman has financial liabilities
- The woman’s husband left debts with time pressure
- The woman’s two children will be taken as slaves
The Seven Assets of the Woman
1. The woman has Godly husband
Godliness is the most important legacy her husband left. It’s a sad note that most people are investing so much effort to accumulate material wealth believing that it’s the ultimate legacy they can leave after life here on Earth. Add to that is their corrupt ways in enriching themselves at the expense of others. Material legacy is good, but Godliness as a legacy to our love ones is second best to none.
2. The woman has Sensible Disposition
Inspite of the woman’s predicaments, she didn’t complain before God and before men. She did not stay home crying and longing for the presence of her husband. Instead, she stood up and act immediately knowing that the very first person capable of helping her was herself.
3. The woman approached the right people
The woman did not go to her immediate family nor to her friends to ask for favor. Instead, she went to Elisha, the second and right person she thought can help her the most. Sometimes, our situation becomes even worst because we tend to go to the wrong people. People who shared our weaknesses and predicaments. And that’s what’s happening to our youth today – they opt to go their friends and open up instead of going to their parents. The woman involved Elisha in the responsibility.
4. The woman was very diplomatic in the community
If we have noticed, she went to her neighbors and asked for jars. And she went home with the needed jars which means she was likable in the community. It’s an asset to be likable in the community. Life, no matter how hard it can be, will become easy if there are people willing to extend help if you ask for it. And in order to become likable, you’ve got to have good speech. You need to speak the right words at the right time and with substance.
It’s not bad to open up and allow the right people to be involved into our predicaments. And it takes humility to do that. Allowing people to get involved is by listening to their advises, and if available, accepting their material help with all gratitude; admitting that we are weak. Problem is, we’ve got to be strong enough to admit that we are weak.
5. The woman has little oil
In the middle east, oil is one of the few versatile commidities at home. It heals sicknesses and diseases; it can be used as part of ingredients to cook for food; it’s an important resource to produce light, soap including shampoo; and many more. The woman has little oil which means she has little life. Start with a little and you will surely go big.
If liabilities in life are not stopping in coming to us, know therefore that we also have hidden assets – inner and external assets. And it’s up to us to rediscover them.
6. The woman has good standing in the community
It’s good to have good public relations, connections, human relations. If we have Elishas in life, we must also have the favor from ordinary people life us. People who share our joy and laughters. However, being likeable means willingness to join community works and share with people all the ups and downs of life. In other words, we must be influencers and preachers of hope and peace to our community. We don’t do that, then we don’t have good standing in the community. Mark my word.
7. The woman has Faith
We need to have faith in order for us to religiously follow all the seven steps mentioned above. Mark 9:23 “If you can, you can do this to me. If you believe, nothing is impossible.” Little faith plus little oil are powerful tools to bring God the glory He deserve from us. For without faith, it’s impossible to please God.
Seven Steps To Do in getting out of your odd situation
After discovering your hidden assets (internal and external) especially the little oil that represents the little things in life that you have, including your faith, you need to act and do something about it.
1. Go outside and look for jars in your neighbors
Don’t just go and ask for food which is only a temporary answer to your need. Be diligent and use your inner asset and ask favor from your neighbor.
2. Go inside your house and reflect
It’s good to see yourself reflecting. Do a favor to yourself by resting not just emotionally but physically as well.
3. Start the work by involving your sons or love ones
Your sons must be involved in the work. Let them know about the problem and ask what they can do to help. You will be surprised that they are more than willing to do some sacrifices.
4. Put the oil in the empty jars
Little oil in a single jar can fill several empty jars if you only believe. Act now, move forward and you will see God’s miracles happening beyond your imagination.
5. Sell the oil
Now you have the oil enough to live with decency. But wait, you’ve got to go beyond the extra mile. Go out of your house and sell them. Don’t allow angels to do it for your because God will not do what He has designed and enabled you to do.
6. Pay you debts
Ooops! Stop cheering to the max. Don’t forget to pay your debts first before asking your neightbors and friends to go with you in the shopping mall and buy what you want. It’s a good feeling if you settle all your obligations first before enjoyment. Try it! And I guarantee you, it will work.
7. Live Simply
Don’t be a “one day millionaire” as they say. Live simply and don’t think that you have all the good fortune in life to live like one. Learn the lessons of being content with what you have by living a simple life. Living simply doesn’t mean you have to live in poverty. Don’t live beyond your means.
The major limitation of the woman is that, she only had a few jars. But wait…
“God’s supply is limited not by his capacity to give but by our capacity to receive.” According to our faith it is done to us.
Luke 6:38 – 8 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
1 Cor. 2:9 – However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
rediscovering our greatest assets in life . the woman and prophet elisha . the woman and her little oil . the little oil in the jar . filling empty jars with oil . elisha and the woman of faith .
Remember, all problems that come into our lives always have counterpart solutions because there is enough oil for every need. Problem is, we don’t find it because we are looking at our neighbor’s resources.
What do you have in your lap? in your house? Is it a little oil? Start small then you will surely go big if you only believe. And if you believe, then, act now. What is important is rediscovering your assets and maximize them.
What are other lessons that we must learn from this message?
Be an asset not a liability – Why not to leave debt to you children. 2 Cor. 12:14 – Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
Women – do not be totally economically dependent to your husband. Prov. 31:16-18-25 - Be a woman of faith by going out of your comfort zone. You can do more than what you are doing as a plain housewife. This is not to undermine the role of homemakers. But if homemakers can do something out of the ordinary, then the better for them in the future.
If you are an employer, provide for you workers. Go beyond what is not only legally but morally acceptable when it comes to benefits of your employees. Do what the western companies are doing – the Profit Sharing Scheme.
Add more jars in your life. Eph. 3:20 - What do you have in your house? What have you got under your management?
You’ve got to assess and do an inventory on your personal assets both internal and external. Improve and add more skills to your arsenal and you will see abundance coming your life.
Lastly, “Little becomes much when we placed it in God’s hands. If we are willing to obey to give what we have….”
This is so awesome, thanks for the upload!