Generosity, a Reflection on 1 Kings 17:8-16

From whom can we expect help when we are in trouble?

In this story Elijah is fleeing for his life from the threats of the powerful king and queen of his nation. He turns to a widow who is trying to support herself and her son in a time of drought.

He is able to reassure her that God will provide for her needs if she will take care of his.

Did the widow in Mark's gospel know this story? Did the scribes?

In August, NPR did a story about the geography of charitable giving. 

Ever wonder how charitable the people are who live in your state or community? It turns out that lower-income people tend to donate a much bigger share of their discretionary incomes than wealthier people do. And rich people are more generous when they live among those who aren't so rich.

They compared the states according to whose typical households give the biggest--and--smallest percentage of discretionary income to charity:

1	Utah	10.6%
2	District of Columbia	7.7%
3	Mississippi	7.2%
48	Maine	2.8%
48	Vermont	2.8%
51	New Hampshire	2.5%