God’s Formula for Blessing, Part 2

“Now there came a day when Elisha passed over to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman, and she persuaded him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat food. She said to her husband, ‘Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.’ One day he came there and turned in to the upper chamber and rested.” 2 Kings 4:8-11

“And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth and his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child became warm. Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him; and the lad sneezed seven times and the lad opened his eyes. He called Gehazi and said, ‘Call this Shunammite.’ So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, ‘Take up your son.’ Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground, and she took up her son and went out.” 2 Kings 4:34-37

There must have been many days when the prophet Elisha rejoiced in the hospitality ministry of the Shunammite woman. At first she prepared meals for him as he passed by, but then later she and her husband added an upstairs room where he could rest when he was weary. Little did she know that her generosity would lay the groundwork for Elisha to bring her son back from the dead.

As we participate in a lifestyle of selfless giving, we too are preparing the way for God to work His miracles in our lives - be they financial, spiritual, or emotional. Such preparation, however, can begin only as we take on the characteristics of the Shunammite woman.

We must be sensitive to the needs of others. No one told the Shunammite woman to feed and house Elisha. She observed his journeying and knew his needs.

We must be willing to sacrifice if necessary. Giving does not come naturally nor does it come easily. The Shunammite woman had to sacrifice some of their time and plans to accommodate Elisha.

We must have a servant spirit for agape giving to work. A servant is bent of meeting the needs of others.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot