1 Kings 17

I was recently in a home of a single sister that was very interested in family history and had a great desire to temple work for her ancestors. The problem is that she felt that she could not afford to pay tithing and as a result, could not get a temple recommend. I thought of her as I read this morning of the widow of Zarepheth who responded to Elijah -

"...As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 17:12)

To this widow who seems to have lost all hope, Elijah counsels -

"...Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 17:13 - 14)

The test was to pay the Lord first or in case, His prophet. As a result of great faith -

"...she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days." (Old Testament | 1 Kings 17:15)

Malachi gave much the same charge and promise to all faithful saints that they should first -

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts." (Old Testament | Malachi 3:10 - 12)

Do we have the faith of the widow of Zarepheth?