Faith Capsule:Turn to caring for others.

2 Kings 4:8-16

The bible talked about a notable woman at Shunem. The woman was so caring not to miss her source of blessing when she was in position for the arrival of her blessing. The Prophet Elisha was always passing by and always turned to the notable woman of Shunem to eat. The women responded to the Elisha’s frequent turning to her place when she spoke to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly.  Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” (2 Kings 4:9-10) The notable woman of Shunem (the Shunamite woman) cares. She cared enough not to ignore but recognized and a man of God. Are you one that is position to recognize your source of potential blessing but make the choice to turn head in opposition direction? The Shunamite woman recognized man of God and set herself up when she set the man of God up with comfortable provision.
During one of Elisha’s turning to her place, he sent his servant Gehazi, “Call this Shunammite woman.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army…? (2Kings 4:12-13) Are you concerned with caring or concerned with cutting off your unknown source of care? The Shunamite woman, out of the abundance of her good heart was caring for a man of God. However, she responded to the man of God’s offer, “I dwell among my own people.” Despite her rejection of the offer for her to be connected to king and commander of her land the man of God persisted on what could be done for her. Gehazi the servant of Elisha answered to man of God’s persistent to bless the Shunamite woman stating, “Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old.” (2Kings 4:14) Elisha responded to Gehazi’s information, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” (2Kings 4:15-16)
How is your caring ability or your caring disability? In particular, how do you care for identifiable servants of God directed in your way? Life is not always about what you can get or make out of everyone in your way. Turn to caring for others knowing that you are doing it in the fear of God and see how God’s blessing shall unlock your locked-up door of blessing.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of caring for others.