One day Elisha went to Shunem and a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” 2 Kings 4:8-10
“She was well-to-do, literally a “great woman,” a person of standing and status who lived in the village of Shunem. Located just north of Jezreel, this was in an area much traveled by Elisha. On one occasion the woman urged him to stay for a meal. That led to a habit of hospitality for the prophet, whom she recognized as a holy man of God. Finally, she approached her husband with a suggestion: Let’s make a small room on the roof. The prophet could lodge there when he was in the area. Elisha was grateful for this woman’s kindness.”
Max Anders and Gary Inrig in 1 and 2 Kings (HOTC; Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2003) 221-222.
Elisha would go on to do miracles for this woman, but don’t miss how the relationship started. She had a habit of hospitality even in times of personal crisis. God sees when we do this.
In this example, the habit of hospitality started with seeing a need and meeting it. First, it was making food. That grew to making space for serving other needs that the ministry worker had. Second, it was providing lodging.
What might a habit of hospitality look like for you? Can you meet a need of a ministry worker, then learn other needs and meet those too, even though you may have real needs?
A hindrance to hospitality is the notion that we must just look out for ourselves. Another is that that we can only give when we have no needs ourselves. Both perspectives will hinder generosity.
Only in looking out for others generously do we position ourselves for God to look after us. God watched all this unfold. He saw needs the childless Shunemmite woman and met them.
If we are living a life with little hope, the only answer is to be generous—have a habit of hospitality—to meet the needs of others and trust God to sort what we cannot sort for ourselves.