The Lord often teaches using extreme circumstances to illustrate a principle. The story of the widow of Zarephath is an example of life-threatening poverty used to teach the doctrine that mercy cannot rob sacrifice any more than it can rob justice. In fact, the truer measure of sacrifice isn’t so much what one gives to sacrifice as what one sacrifices to give (see Mark 12:43). Faith isn’t tested so much when the cupboard is full as when it is bare. In these defining moments, the crisis doesn’t create one’s character—it reveals it. The crisis is the test (“Tithing-a Commandment Even for the Destitute” Lynn G. Robbins, April 2005).

Much of the inspiration for my paintings comes through experiences I had when drinking the biter cups of life. This is especially true of this painting. It is during these defining moments of adversity – famines, if you will – that I have come to understand “sacrifice brings forth blessings.” It is my desire to visually convey that true faith always manifests itself in faithfulness. The message of the Widow of Zarephath has tremendous relevancy today; it is through our choices we ultimately come to know God. (Scriptural reference: 1 Kings 17: 9-15)

Painting by Sandy Freckleton Gagon