A Vessel or Vault?

Living a Life of Generosity

“What do you have?”
This was the question posed by the prophet Elisha to a desperate widow in 2 Kings 4:2–7. Her answer, a small jar of oil, did not seem like much. But what followed was a miracle rooted not in how much she had, but in her willingness to pour out what she did have.

This same question echoes to us today: What do you have? And are you willing to give it to the Lord?

As Pastor Matt shared these truths, he reminded us that generosity isn’t just about money or things, it’s about identity. It’s not simply something we do; it’s who we are. Generosity is the outward expression of a heart surrendered to God.

Scripture is clear:
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty… for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me,’ but remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” – Deuteronomy 8:17-18

“The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the Lord Almighty.” – Haggai 2:8

God owns it all, yet He chooses to work through us. The question is, how are we stewarding what He’s placed in our hands?

We can live life as a vault, locked up, storing for ourselves, hoarding our time, talent, and treasure. Or we can live as a vessel, open, yielded, and ready to pour.

Elisha didn’t ask the widow to store the oil. He told her to pour it. And as long as she poured, the oil kept flowing. That’s the kingdom principle: the key to ongoing provision is pouring, not preserving.

Are you a storer or a pourer?

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) If our heart is truly set on the kingdom, generosity becomes our natural response. We’re not called to keep the oil, but to spread it, across generations, across communities, across nations.

We are agents of hope and transformation. When we live with open hands and surrendered hearts, God uses us to fill empty jars all around us, broken people, hurting families, weary souls.

So ask yourself today:
Am I living as a vessel or a vault? Am I storing or pouring?

May our answer be: “Lord, all I have is Yours. Use me as a vessel, let the oil flow.”