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LESSONS IN RECIPROCITY

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Jul 3
  • 4 min read

Today’s Reading:

2 Kings 4:8-17

“And he said to him…. “Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you?” (v 13)


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In the secular world, many are used to common sayings like: “nothing goes for nothing; “a good turn deserves another”,; and in the Scripture, we read in Lk 6:38 that you should give and it will be given to you. In v31, it is written that just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. It is common knowledge that people have different motives for giving to others or being kind or generous. Commonly, the general motive is to get/receive back or be compensated. On the contrary, we read in Lk 6:35 that God is kind to the ungrateful and the evil or wicked. Jesus, in his teaching in Lk 6:35, instructs us to do good, lend and hope for nothing in return. In v38, He affirms that as we give, it will be given back to us: good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be put into our bosom. He summarised this law in Matt. 7:12 by saying that whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them! All these are termed “Reciprocal actions“, defined as acting in return; giving and receiving; interchangeably.


In Today’s reading, we read of a notable woman in Shunem, who noticed Prophet Elisha as he passed by. She persuaded him to eat some food as often as he came by. She went further to ask her husband for a small upper room for Elisha on the wall of their house. She put a bed, a table and chair, and a lampstand in the room for him, as she had observed that he was a holy man of God. Impressed by this kind gesture, Elisha thought of reciprocating. He then asked his servant, Gehazi, to ask what he could do for the woman.


The salient lessons to be learnt from the Shunamite woman are:

  • Scriptural insight (v. 9). She had observed and knew that Elisha was a holy man of God, and told it to her husband. Knowledge from the Holy Spirit.

  • Observance (v. 8). She was very observant to have noticed Elisha when he visited Shunem the first time, and then subsequently.

  • Persuasive (v. 8). She was persuasive and so able to persuade Elisha to eat some food the very first time and subsequently, as often as he passed by.

  • Generosity (v. 8). She saw the need for feeding the man of God and his servant, and even continuously. She was very generous and persistent in her giving. She went further to provide transit accommodation for them. Just like Abraham and Lot, who welcomed and provided food and rest to angels in Gen. 18:2-8; 19:1-3, she welcomed a holy man of God.

  • Humility and contentment (v13). When Elisha told Gehazi to ask the woman who had shown so much concern and care for them, of what she wanted to be done for her, she didn’t want anything in return or name her price like many would do. Even when Elisha offered to speak on her behalf to the king and commander of the army, she humbly replied that she lived/dwelt among her people. She was humble, a contented soul!

  • Simplicity (v16). Having been told the woman had no child, and Elisha told her she would embrace a son that same time the next year, she felt he was lying to her, since her husband was already old. Though she didn’t have the faith, she did not argue or show any disagreement with the man of God. She accepted it with a simple mind.

  • Reward (v17). We read that the woman conceived and bore a son when the appointed time had come. Despite her lack of faith, and because God is a great rewarder and doesn’t impute to us according to our lack of faith or sin, He rewarded the woman’s (above-listed) virtues with a son. He also honoured the word of his servant Elisha.

  • Beyond Recompense (v17). What the woman couldn’t have dreamt of, and for more than she gave in kind to the man of God, was reciprocated to her – a son, a whole life, which she must have looked for all her life up till then.


Do you reciprocate God’s and other people’s show of love, kindness, goodness, gifts, etc? It is of God that, as believers, we should reciprocate whatever kindness or good things are done or given to us.

CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.



Prayer:

  1. Father God, we appreciate you for your creation and sovereignty over the world.

  2. Eternal God, we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus Christ to the sinful world.

  3. Precious Lord, we thank you for your sacrifice of love and salvation given freely to humanity.

  4. Lord, teach us to reciprocate your love by living for you on this earth and hope to live and reign with you in heaven.

  5. Father, help the leaders of the church to teach bible truths to believers, such as giving to you and fellow men.

  6. Father, visit our nation afresh and help our leaders to surrender to you and use them to bless our land.

 
 
 

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