by Vernessa Taylor

Remember the widow woman and her boys? Let me refresh your memory. She had run out of everything and was at her wits end. (You know, in our language today, "at her wits end" means she was going crazy!) She was feeling the pressure, and poverty was banging loudly on the door. 
No doubt about it . . . she needed a miracle. One of God's "P"s that put poverty on the run! 

1 - Preparation 

You gather the vessels . . . 

Even though the pressure was mounting and the creditors were ready to put her boys on the auction block, this woman didn't forget God's power. She was the widow of a prophet, lived in the company of prophets, and made a beeline for a prophet to get some answers from God! 

He asked her a simple question, "What do you have that God can use to create provision for you." Now, we know he phrased it a little differently, but that was the essence of the question. 

The prophet's instructions were pretty simple. "Go and gather all the empty vessels you can find." 

What was the prophet doing? What was God doing? Setting her up . . . to receive her provision. 

2 - Provision 

He'll pour in the product . . . 

When you need something from God, if you belong to Him, he'll find a way to get it to you. Now, interestingly, I have found over the years, that'll He'll get it to you even if you have to borrow the containers to put it in! 

Right here is where she entered into a partnership with God. Remember Jesus saying to Martha, "Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?" 

She got the vessels she owned and she borrowed others from her neighbors. God was ready to pour on the blessings and she was making sure she was prepared to receive them. She followed the prophet's next instructions: Pour and keep on pouring! 

3 - Proprietorship 

You get ready to handle business . . . 

In a matter of hours, this lady went from being a prophet's widow under unbearable pressure to a proprietor in partnership with God! 

Okay, so God filled up the vessels and she industriously poured from the big pot into the smaller pots, filling them in preparation for . . . what? She might have the goods but who in the world knows she's got something valuable to sell. (Notice, the prophet didn't tell her to go and give them away . . . he said go and sell them!) 

4 - Prospects 

He'll find you some clients . . . 

Did you know that God will prepare your prospects so they are ready to purchase your product from you -- even if you don't know where they are or that they even exist? Did you get that? God will make sure there is somebody standing in the wings who can afford to sow into your situation. 

All you have to do is get it ready. And of course go sell it. 

5 - Prosper 

You reap the benefits . . . 

This story ends. Not at the graveside of the widow and her boys. Not at the auction block where she watches the creditors bid on her boys to make them into slaves. 

It ends with her having received the prophet's reward and prosperity in her hand to dispel the poverty that was knocking at her door. 

A simple checklist of the process would look like this: 

Preparation - that's your job 

Provision - that's His job 

Proprietorship - that's your business 

Prospects - that's His business 

Prosperity - that's your reward (and His glory!) 

I'll leave you with this question: Are you facing a situation in which the 5 P's would apply? 

References 

2 Kings 4:1-7; John 11:40 

Copyright 2002 by Vernessa Taylor. 

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About the Author 

Vernessa Taylor is founder of StrategyZone Network, where members take their extraordinary ideas and create wonderful businesses on the web. Come participate at http://www.strategyzone.net. Join the "No Parking Zone' ezine for inspiration and low-cost business-building help: noparkingzone@strategyzone.net. 

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