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When little becomes much

“Your servant has nothing there at all ,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil” (2 Kings 4:2).

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In the early years of its existence, Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth faced formidable financial difficulties. Deplorable living conditions and unpaid professors prompted President B. H. Carroll to send this pointed note to several pastors and friends: “I’m up a tree. Can you and your fine men help me? Frank Groner, a preacher from Stamfor, Texas, wrote back: “I’m in a hole. I must call my fine men to raise $14,000 to pay a pressing debt on our building. How can a man in a hole help a man up in a tree? With characteristic wit and insight, Dr. Carroll replied, “When you come up the tree to help me, you will be out of your hole.” 1 As our journey continues, we discover God providing for a woman in a deep hole through another one of Elisha’s miracles. Focusing specifically on 2 Kings 4:1-7, note first the unexpected misfortune this poor lady expresses to Elisha: “Your servant my husband is dead, and

1 Robert A. Baker, Tell the Generations Following (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1983), 162.

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