There’s a story in 2 Kings 4 (MSG) that’s been sitting heavy on my mind lately—the story of the widow and her oil.
1: One day the wife of a man from the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves.”
2: Elisha said, “I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Nothing,” she said. “Well, I do have a little oil.”
3-4: “Here’s what you do,” said Elisha. “Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your neighbors. And not just a few—all you can get. Then come home and lock the door behind you, you and your sons. Pour oil into each container; when each is full, set it aside.”
5-6: She did what he said. She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them. When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, “Another jug, please.” He said, “That’s it. There are no more jugs.” Then the oil stopped.
7 She went and told the story to the man of God. He said, “Go sell the oil and make good on your debts. Live, both you and your sons, on what’s left.”
The miracle wasn’t just in the oil—it was in the infrastructure.
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The Capacity to Receive
Many of us are praying for increase—more opportunities, more clients, more visibility—but we haven’t created the capacity to receive what God is ready to release.
If the widow had borrowed only a few jars, the oil would have stopped sooner.
It makes me wonder: how many times has God wanted to pour out something in our lives, but we didn’t have the jars ready?
For me, this realization hit when I looked around and saw that I was good at what I do—but I hadn’t built the structure to contain it from an entrepreneurial perspective. People were coming to me for advice, insight, or strategy, and I was giving freely (which is honorable), but I wasn’t stewarding my time, knowledge, or value in a way that could sustain the growth of my business.
Some of us are walking around running unofficial agencies and consultancies. We’re already advising, mentoring, and strategizing. But we haven’t accepted that it’s a business.
And without structure, the blessing leaks.
Step One: Inventory Your Oil
Take a look at your resume, or better yet, your life experience, and ask yourself: “What do I do with ease that other people struggle with?”
Now imagine a friend says, “Hey, I’ve been trying to figure this out. Can you walk me through it over lunch—say, 30 minutes at a time—and I’ll pay you for it?”
That’s your first jar. My friend, that’s what your “oil” looks like in this season.
Step Two: Create a Simple Container
You don’t need a multi-page website, a brand shoot, or a fancy launch. What you need is a system to say yes when opportunity knocks.
Start simple:
- Set up a calendar link (I use Calendly) where people can book time with you.
- Add a payment option directly in the link if you want to charge before sessions.
- Create one downloadable resource—a checklist, a short guide, or a 30-minute framework that solves a specific problem. It could be as simple as a Google Doc. Over time, you can refine it into a training manual or a step-by-step guide. Each piece becomes another jar—another way to hold what’s already in you.
Step Three: Tell the Story
Now that you’ve built the foundation, start sharing what you know.
Pick up your phone and talk about your experiences:
- Tell a story from your work that taught you something valuable.
- Share a funny or surprising moment that revealed a lesson.
- Reflect on how those experiences shaped your expertise.
Then, at the end of your post or video, simply say something like: “If you need help with this, my door is open. You can grab time on my calendar—link’s in the bio.”
That one sentence bridges inspiration to invitation. It gives people a way to engage with your wisdom in a structured, sustainable way.
Step Four: Prepare for Overflow
Here’s the beauty of this approach—you’re building infrastructure before the increase.
So when your name is mentioned in the right room, when a video takes off, or when the floodgates of opportunity open, you’re not scrambling to catch the blessing. You’re ready to receive it.
Every jar is already labeled, in place, and waiting.
And that’s when God can truly multiply what’s in your hands—because you’ve proven you can pour with purpose.
Another piece we can get into is automation, but that is another topic for another day?
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, we ask for miracles without realizing we’re already holding the oil. Your skill set. Your story. Your systems. These are the jars that hold your increase.
So take a moment to organize what you already have. Write it down. Build a link. Tell the story.
Because when you make room for the miracle, God always fills it.
How Can I Help?
I’m here if you need some help setting up a system or infrastructure, simple or complex. Whether you just want a booking link or a site build, my agency, Patterson Media Group, is here to help you package, produce, and profit from your expertise.
