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REFLECTION

Kindness given is the theme for our reflection. Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. The Shunamite woman and her husband were kind to the prophet Elisha. Kindness is at the heart of hospitality. Kindness is not done by accident but it is a willful act. In other words, no one is born kind, kindness is given as a result of a personal decision. In the story of the Good Samaritan, the priest and levite passed by a wounded man yet the Good Samaritan took the decision to help the injured and dying man (Luke 10:25-37). We observe initially that the Shunamite woman did not know the kind of person Elisha was when she first invited him into her home. “One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. (2 Kings 4:8). The woman was rich and as a good steward of her wealth, she decided to be hospitable or kind to strangers. Her act of kindness was her way of having others share in her wealth. The question is, how many of us share our wealth by being generous, kind or hospitable in our time and age? The truth remains that many of us give excuses for not being kind to others.

The Shunamite woman later discovered that Prophet Elisha was not an ordinary stranger but a man of God, therefore her kindness or hospitality was magnanimous. “She said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.” 2 Kings 4:9-10). It is important to understand that, this level of kindness was given to Elisha because he carried God’s anointing. In other words, if it must be done for God, then it must be done well and wholeheartedly. This was also proof of the woman and her husband’s fear of God and their reverence for the servants of God. How hospitable and kind are you to your pastor and the servants of God who are dedicated to serving the Lord, preaching and teaching the Goodnews. The well-being of your pastor, evangelist, and those who are into the full-time Kingdom business of God must be of great concern to you because they carry a special anointing, grace and call. Be kind to them by sharing with them the blessing God continue to bestow upon you, for God also listens to their prayers on your behalf. Again, we are to share with the poor and needy too as part of our obligation as believers.

Dear friend, in as much as the act of kindness, is done willfully, our fear of God must actually compel us to love and care for others. Let us remember that the Shunamite woman was not kind to Elisha because she needed a favour from him or God. She understood her stewardship as a wealthy person who must share what she possessed through the act of kindness. This is the level of spiritual awakening we must possess even as we continue to be kind and hospitable to other people. Prophet Elisha felt compelled to bless her by all means for her act of kindness therefore, he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” … the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her” (2 Kings 4:16-17). Dear friend, kindness when given provokes God’s blessings, therefore, let us continue to be kind according to our ability and grace to those who are stranded or need help from us. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, empower us and bless us to be able to show kindness to the glory of your Holy name. Amen