Helping Full Time Missionaries

In 2 Kings, chapter 4, it gives us the perfect example of what we ought to be doing as followers of Jesus. And although what I am about to tell you is not done very often anymore, it doesn’t mean that this still is not God’s will for mankind. So pay close attention to what happened, for it could change the way you think about living your life from here on out. There was a very sweet woman who saw what Elisha the prophet was doing for God and she made her house a sanctuary for him to come in as he pleases and to even stay the night and eat at. And so you can see the generosity and kindness for yourself, it reads, ¹“and it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.” (2 Kings 4:8-11) Wow! What a kind and gracious woman. How many times do you see this happening now for full-time missionaries and those on mission trips? And has your home ever been opened up to them, in order to show them the kindness they deserve? Where the needs of these men and women of God are met? One thing that is certain is that anybody living their lives fully for God should never go without food, a place to stay, and their needs met. This is where we step in and open our doors to people like this. Is this something you will do? I know I will? Not only have I invited missionaries over for dinner, but fed them while on the streets, so opening my doors for sleeping over will come next.

My brothers and sisters in the faith, I have friends who are full-time missionaries, one specifically who is in YWAM, and sometimes it is hard for him, his wife, and his kids. His name is Patrick Roy. Often do they not have the food necessary and financially it is a struggle. This would not be the case if there were more people out there like this woman who opened her doors for Elisha. I worry about my friend, but I wouldn’t if people would just showcase their love for them by opening their doors to them. Not only this person but all missionaries should be invited often over for lunch and dinner. And if they can’t afford a place to stay, a free room and board should be at least offered for these wonderful people. Even donations to their cause should be offered up. That is why I will be adding a donate button for Patrick Roy on my website. Now, as for how Elisha reacted to the woman’s hospitality, it reads, ¹“and he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.” (2 Kings 4:13-17) When you help men and women of God, the Lord also blesses you more abundantly than ever before. Now please consider helping God’s missionaries.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will begin to have a more generous heart towards full-time missionaries and those on mission trips. So often do these people struggle to find a place to stay and even have the food they need to survive, where so-called members of the faith live much better lives. How is this Lord? Where is the kindness and love for men and women of God anymore? Where has their love gone towards if it is not for the welfare of the people serving in Your kingdom? I can think of a few places where people are spending their money, instead of on people who need it most, and it really saddens me deeply. How can people be so selfish when many other people are suffering? Not only do the homeless need our care and support, but these people that are serving in Your kingdom, day in and day out, are also in need of our help. These are those who we should be willingly opening our doors to. And instead, these people have to search and search for someone who is humble enough to take them in and even feed them. Lord, I pray that all this will stop. Even in Your mighty Name, Jesus, I desire this with all my heart. I pray that people who are serving You will no longer have to worry again about things any longer. Even where they stay the night and the food they will eat will be furnished for them. I know that a change is coming in the hearts of all Christians, and I rejoice just knowing this. There still are good Christians out there who want to love on those more in need than themselves. Their money is not squandered on things of this world, but for the building up of Your kingdom. I love You, Lord. Your ways are pure and holy. They are also loving and kind. I pray that I will become more like You every day. That Your characteristics of love and kindness will become who I am. I love you, Lord, and am grateful to be apart of helping any full-time missionaries, including people on a mission trip. Helping them is helping Your kingdom go further than ever before. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

2 Kings 4

¹2 Kings 4 (KJV)
1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.
4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.
5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.
6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.
25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well:
27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.
28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.
30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord.
34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.
39 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.
40 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.
41 But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
42 And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.
43 And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof.
44 So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord.