We live in the world of an abundance, and yet it is extremely difficult for most people even in so-called wealthy countries to realize this fact. Our minds were trained to look at reality in a certain negative way. Before we come to the realization of Gods prosperity, we need to change our perspective and see ourselves and our circumstances in a new way.

One of the most remarkable miracles of Gods provision is recorded in 2 Kings 4. However, even those Christians who believe that this story literally happened, are slow in using of its lessons, because they think that it was an exception, and God does not do such things anymore. That is not true. This story may never be repeated in every detail, but the principles behind it can be applied by anyone who wants to see Gods abundance manifested. The Bible is the book of rules, not exceptions.

"A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves" (v.1).

1. Poverty is unnatural, and every true servant of God knows that, just like Elisha knew it. There are no instances in the Bible where proper requests for material provision were denied for any reason. Poverty have nothing to do with godliness. It puts people into all kinds of bondage and makes them unhappy.

2. It would be good for us to check what kind of feelings do we associate with our financial situation. As we look at the widow in this story, we see how she believed that the whole world was against her. And it is the first thing we need to let go if we are serious about prosperity.

Do you think that people are unjust? Forgive them and bless them.
Do you think that the world is unjust? Forgive it and bless it.
Do you think that God is unjust? Forgive God and bless God.

"So Elisha said to her, what shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil" (v. 2).

3. Look at what you have. No matter how poor you think you are, you've got something. Everybody have something. There is always a "but", and this "but" makes all the difference. The widow had nothing but a jar of oil. Apparently, she did not think much of it. And yet the Lord used this small amount of oil to provide for her and for her sons.

"Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors empty vessels, do not just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons, then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones" (v. 3,4).

4. Look for opportunities to give.

People who are open to an idea of generous God, often talk about opportunities. However, in most cases they are looking for opportunities to get something: a new house, a new car, a new job, a new career. And yet the lesson of this story is completely different. The lady was commanded by Elisha to look for empty vessels, not for full ones.

In other words, find out a way to use what you have. The idea of throwing good seeds into a soil seems foolish to the one who does not know anything about an agriculture. The idea of giving in order to gain more seems strange, but only to those who do not know how the world is working.

"Shut the door behind you and your sons" (v. 4).

5. Do your work alone.

There was a reason why Jesus often prayed alone and taught us to do the likewise. Inner work always precedes outer manifestation, and in order to be successful in our inner work we need to spend a good amount of time alone: praying, thinking and planning.

If you have a valuable idea, do not brag about it. Allow it to grow and to become mature. At the same time, do not run around asking people to validate your plans. By doing that, you will subject your newborn idea to all kinds of negative influences of people who do not care about your success.

Develop a self-trust. If you really think you need an advise, be sure to ask only successful people, and only those who love you and believe in you.

"So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her, and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel". And he said to her, "There is not another vessel". So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest" (v. 5-7).

6. Do not limit Gods ability to bless you. Do not be preoccupied with any particular channel of provision. Even if it will disappear, God is still with you, and He will open for you another channel. God does all kinds of miracles of provision, but every miracle is unique.

If you trust the Lord, you wont be ashamed.