Hospitable Courage: Embracing Generosity in Scarcity

Devotional

Day 1: Courageous Hospitality in Scarcity

The story of the widow of Zarephath is a profound example of courageous hospitality in the face of overwhelming scarcity. Despite being a foreigner and at the brink of starvation, she chooses to share her last morsel with Elijah, embodying a faith that transcends her immediate fears and lack. Her willingness to give, even when she has almost nothing, reveals that true hospitality is not about abundance but about the courage to trust and act in love, even when resources seem insufficient. This act of sharing becomes the very means by which her needs are met, suggesting that God’s provision often flows through our willingness to give, not just receive. [53:41]

1 Kings 17:13-16 (ESV)
And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

Reflection: When have you felt you had little to give—time, energy, or resources—but chose to share anyway? What did you discover about God’s provision in that moment?

Day 2: Expanding the Circle of Concern

God’s hospitality is not limited to insiders; it intentionally reaches beyond boundaries to include the outsider, the foreigner, and the unexpected guest. The widow of Zarephath, though not an Israelite, is chosen as the vessel of God’s miracle, showing that God’s love and purpose are not confined to our in-groups. This story challenges us to expand our own circles of concern, to see and welcome those who are different from us, and to recognize that God often works through those we might overlook or exclude. [50:31]

Luke 4:24-26 (ESV)
And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.”

Reflection: Who in your life or community might be outside your usual circle of concern? How can you intentionally include and show hospitality to them this week?

Day 3: Overcoming Blind Spots of Purpose

It is easy to become so focused on our own fears, schedules, or ambitions that we develop blind spots to the needs and purposes God places before us. The Princeton Seminary study illustrates how even those preparing to preach about compassion can miss opportunities to act compassionately when distracted by urgency or anxiety. Recognizing these blind spots is the first step toward living with greater awareness of our true purpose: to love and serve others, even when it interrupts our plans. [48:59]

Matthew 25:35-40 (ESV)
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Reflection: What distractions or fears most often keep you from noticing and responding to the needs of others? What is one practical way you can remove a “blinder” today?

Day 4: The Miracle of Small Acts of Courage

Courage does not always begin with grand gestures; often, it starts with small, everyday choices to trust, share, and step out of our comfort zones. Whether it’s offering the last piece of food at the table, welcoming a stranger into your conversation, or simply saying yes to a small act of kindness, these moments build the muscle of courage and prepare us for greater acts of faith. God often uses these small beginnings to accomplish miracles in and through us. [45:38]

Zechariah 4:10a (ESV)
For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice…

Reflection: What is one small, courageous act you can take today—at home, work, or in your community—that stretches your faith and hospitality?

Day 5: No One Is Unimportant—Courage in Community

In times of crisis, it is tempting to believe that our contributions do not matter or that someone else will step up. Yet, as seen in the story of the USS Belknap, when everyone recognizes their value and responsibility, even the most overwhelming challenges can be met with hope and resilience. God calls each person to step forward, reminding us that no one is unimportant and that courage is often found in community, not isolation. [01:01:39]

1 Corinthians 12:21-26 (ESV)
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Reflection: Where have you felt unimportant or overlooked in your community? How might God be inviting you to step forward and offer your unique gifts for the good of others?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the theme of “hospitable courage,” drawing from the story of the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17. In a time of famine and scarcity, the widow is asked by Elijah to share her last morsel of bread. Despite her dire circumstances, she responds with generosity and trust, embodying a courage that transcends mere survival. This act is not just about miraculous provision, but about the deep, spiritual gumption to keep the fire of hope and hospitality alive, even when resources seem exhausted.

This kind of courage is not reserved for grand gestures or dramatic moments. It often begins with small acts—like offering the last piece of chicken at Sunday dinner, or welcoming a stranger into a close-knit circle. These moments, though seemingly minor, are the seeds of a larger, more resilient faith. The story of the widow, and the stories from our own community—like the J-1 dinners where young people from countries in conflict share laughter and friendship—remind us that hospitality is a courageous act that expands the circle of love and breaks down barriers of fear and scarcity.

The Princeton Seminary study on the Good Samaritan parable reveals how easily our sense of urgency and self-preservation can blind us to the needs of others. When we are hurried or anxious, we miss opportunities to live out our purpose as people of compassion. The real scarcity we face is not of resources, but of vision and purpose. Ancient stories like that of the widow, and modern ones like the sailors on the USS Belknap, show us that in moments of crisis, courage is found not in extraordinary individuals, but in ordinary people who step forward, refuse to be paralyzed by fear, and act out of their true identity as beloved children of God.

Ultimately, the call is to recognize that no one is unimportant. In times of crisis, when the usual leaders are absent or the rules no longer apply, it is the courage of each person—rooted in faith, hope, and love—that sustains the community. The repeated biblical command, “Do not be afraid,” is not a denial of fear, but an invitation to step into our God-given purpose, trusting that in giving and sharing, we discover abundance and the presence of God among us.

Key Takeaways

1. Courage Begins with Small Acts True courage is often cultivated in the small, everyday choices to give, share, and welcome. Whether it’s offering the last piece of food or making space for a stranger, these moments train our hearts to trust and to act generously, even when we feel we have little to offer. The journey toward courageous hospitality starts with these humble beginnings, not with grand gestures. [45:38]
2. Scarcity of Purpose, Not Resources The greatest scarcity we face is not material, but spiritual—a lack of vision and purpose. When we are consumed by fear or hurry, as shown in the Princeton Seminary study, we become blind to the needs around us and to our own calling. Recognizing and reclaiming our purpose as people of compassion opens us to God’s abundance, even in times of apparent lack. [48:59]
3. Hospitality Expands the Circle of Love Biblical hospitality is not just about serving those within our own group, but about intentionally reaching beyond boundaries to include the outsider. The widow of Zarephath, a foreigner, is drawn into God’s story, reminding us that true hospitality expands the circle of concern and love, breaking down barriers of prejudice and fear. [50:31]
4. Miracles Happen Through Courageous Sharing The miracle of the meal jar that never runs out is not just about supernatural provision, but about the courage to keep giving and sharing when it seems impossible. This “holy gumption” is what sustains communities and reveals God’s presence—not magic, but the persistent, hopeful action of ordinary people. [53:41]
5. No One Is Unimportant in God’s Economy In moments of crisis, when the usual leaders are absent or the rules break down, it is the courage and initiative of every person that matters. The story of the USS Belknap shows that when everyone steps forward, refusing to be paralyzed by fear or a sense of insignificance, the community is sustained and hope is rekindled. God’s call is for each of us to recognize our value and to act with courage, for “no one is unimportant.”

** [61:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Community Life
[03:30] - J-1 Dinners: Hospitality in Action
[07:55] - Stories of Unexpected Friendship
[12:05] - Volunteers and Acts of Service
[13:42] - Sunday Dinner Memories and Small Acts of Courage
[45:38] - The Trust Fall: Starting Small with Courage
[48:05] - The Princeton Seminary Study: Blind Spots and Scarcity
[50:31] - The Widow of Zarephath: Courage in Crisis
[52:29] - The Miracle Beyond Magic
[53:41] - Sharing in Scarcity: Where Miracles Begin
[55:29] - Jesus and the Challenge of Scarcity
[57:06] - Welcoming the Stranger: Everyday Hospitality
[59:17] - USS Belknap: Courage in Crisis
[61:39] - No One Is Unimportant: The Call to Courage
[63:26] - Do Not Be Afraid: The Repeated Call

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Kings 17:8-16 (ESV) — Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

Observation Questions

What was the widow of Zarephath doing when Elijah first encountered her, and what does this reveal about her situation? ([50:31])
How did the widow respond to Elijah’s request, even though she was in a desperate situation? ([52:29])
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the “small acts” like offering the last piece of food at Sunday dinner? ([13:42])
In the Princeton Seminary study mentioned, what factor most affected whether the seminarians stopped to help someone in need? ([48:05])

Interpretation Questions

Why might Elijah have chosen a foreign widow, someone outside the “in-group,” to be part of God’s story of provision and courage? ([50:31])
The widow’s act of sharing her last meal is described as “courage that transcends mere survival.” What does this suggest about the difference between surviving and living with purpose? ([52:29])
The sermon says the real scarcity is not of resources, but of vision and purpose. How does this idea challenge the way people usually think about generosity and hospitality? ([48:59])
In the story of the USS Belknap, why was it important that “no one is unimportant” during the crisis? How does this relate to the biblical story? ([01:01:39])

Application Questions

Think about a recent time when you felt you had “nothing left to give”—emotionally, financially, or otherwise. What would it look like to respond with “hospitable courage” in that moment? ([52:29])
The sermon highlights that courage often starts with small acts, like offering the last piece of food or welcoming a stranger. What is one small, specific act of hospitality you could practice this week? ([13:42])
The Princeton Seminary study showed that hurry and anxiety can blind us to the needs of others. Are there routines or habits in your life that keep you from noticing people who need help? What could you change to be more attentive? ([48:05])
The widow’s story and the J-1 dinners both show hospitality that crosses boundaries. Is there someone outside your usual circle whom you could invite into your life or community? What holds you back from doing so? ([50:31])
The sermon says, “no one is unimportant.” Do you ever feel like your actions or presence don’t matter? How might God be inviting you to step forward in courage, even if you feel insignificant? ([01:01:39])
When have you experienced a “miracle” of abundance through sharing or generosity, even when it seemed impossible? How did that experience affect your faith? ([53:41])
The repeated biblical command is “Do not be afraid.” What specific fear keeps you from practicing courageous hospitality, and what is one step you could take to move through that fear this week? ([01:03:26])

Sermon Clips

What it feels like to me is that there's a glaring blind spot, right? That there's something, they've got their sort of their blinders on. Here you are preaching about the Good Samaritan, no doubt going to be encouraging others and yourself. He's always preached to yourself first. Believe that. And you're going to tell them, you know, stop at nothing. That's what our life is all about, helping people. But there's this incredible blind spot about our purpose. [00:49:27] (28 seconds) #expandthecircleoflove

A foreigner. She's not an Israelite. Most of the stories.and most of the laws and sort of everything, you know, talk about Israel as an in -group, sort of specially chosen as opposed to everybody else. In spite of that, you still get a lot of stories like this that reach very intentionally for someone outside the circle to draw them in or rather to expand the circle of concern and love. [00:51:15] (31 seconds) #hopeisrealnotmagic

And I want to get beyond the magic of this story, because I think it's too easy to relegate almost everything we read, especially in the Old Testament, to magic, which is a way to ignore it, right? And we're like, well, that's magic, and the world doesn't work that way now. Now they're real concerns. Now it's dog eat dog, and where is God, is what we're really saying. But what if, beyond magic, what if the meal jar stayed full by the same kind of courage, the courageous gumption, I'm going to call it, that led a woman, so called at the end of her rope, to gather sticks to rekindle the fire and to keep the fire going? What if that's the miracle that kept the meal jar full? [00:53:26] (59 seconds)

And I'm not just merely talking about pulling up your bootstraps. What if it's not just a matter of continuing to collect and continue to reach when you think there's nothing there, but this act of sharing in the midst of that? It's uncanny. It's like, what? I don't have enough myself. And then all of a sudden you share and it starts to look like that thing that Jesus did with the 5 ,000. [00:54:24] (28 seconds)

How many people do we go through in life ignoring? We were in a coffee shop the other day with our son. We don't get to see him that often. We drove up two hours to hand over a cashier's check that he couldn't get. We're still taking care of him at 26. That's okay. Hey, my dad does it to me. It's the way it goes. And we're having this little, have you ever been to Starbucks and you've seen those little, those little, there's some seats and stuff. But then there's like a little Starbucks clatch. You know what I'm talking about? Some of you guys, Starbucks people, there are these little hexagon tables that are deceptively heavy to move. But then you can kind of move them around and shift them around. And when you're in those seats, right, you know, like walking into those seats is a, no, no. It's like, these are my seats. [00:56:13] (55 seconds)

Only seven, and in the 50 years since, the U .S. Navy requires every ship to practice a mass conflagration drill, and here are the rules. Whenever someone is showing, you know, tenacity, one of the first things they do is they say, the captain, the executive officer, and all the department heads are dead. Go. And nobody gets to say, I quit. This is not fair. We don't have enough. No, that's the exciting part of it. That's the purpose of it. All of a sudden, these nobodies on the ship, right? The captain's gone now. So all of a sudden, these junior officers and these junior sailors, everybody who's taking responsibility is getting pushed out of the way. They begin to step forward. [01:02:32] (50 seconds)

It's not a time of frustration. It's not a time of frustration. It's not a time of scarcity. It's a time to practice the courage of being who you are, because the number one rule in a mass conflagration drill, and maybe the crisis we're facing right now, is that no one is unimportant. Maybe, maybe that's where courage comes from, from all of us. [01:03:21] (29 seconds)

``How many times do we have to hear it from angels and archangels, From prophets, from Jesus? Do not be afraid. I've sent you. Amen. Amen. Amen. [01:06:33] (30 seconds)

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