2 Kings 4:13
Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?'”
She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”
“To be content with such things as we have” is a very rare attainment. Everyone imagines that some change of circumstances, and especially some addition to his finances, will increase his happiness. But the answer of the Shunamite to the Prophet Elisha may well dissipate this delusion. She, in concurrence with her husband, had provided accommodation for the prophet, that, when he was proceeding on his journeys in the discharge of his ministerial office, and should have occasion to visit Shunem, he might have a place of repose under her roof. The prophet, sensible of her great kindness, and thankful for all the care she had taken of him, proposed to do anything she might wish for the promotion of her interests. He offered to speak for her to the captain of the army, or even to the king himself, if he might thereby obtain for her and her husband anything that might conduce to their comfort. But she declined his kind offer, saying, “I have a home among my own people,” and possess all that my heart can desire.
Now this was a wise and good reply. It commends itself to us as the dictate of a sound judgment,
I. On the principles of worldly wisdom.
Advancement in the world was offered to her, but:
1. She preferred a state of independence, to a state of obligation.
No man should be ashamed of a state of dependence, or of being indebted to the kind offices of others, if God has put him into a situation that requires it. God has ordained that there shall be a great diversity in the conditions of men, on purpose that every species of virtue may be called forth into act and exercise; in the poor, contentment; and in the rich, a liberal and tender sympathy. But to be needlessly dependent upon others is most disgraceful. No man should exist on charity, when he is able to support himself. It was a blessing which God promised to his obedient people, when he said, “You shall lend to many nations, but shall not borrow; since by the one they would be the head, whereas by the other they would be in the degraded situation of the tail, Deuteronomy 28:12-13.” It was a virtuous pride therefore in this woman to decline a state of dependence, when God had given her a sufficiency for independence.
2. She preferred a state of competency, to a state of affluence.
She had food and clothing—what more could she need? An abundance of the things of this life is usually productive of care, and always exposes us to temptation; while yet the possessor of it has “no other benefit from it than, that of beholding it with his eyes! Ecclesiastes 5:11. See also Psalm 37:16; Proverbs 15:16; Ecclesiastes 4:6; Matthew 6:25-30.” Why then should any man strive for worldly advancement? “A man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things that he possesses, Luke 12:15.” True wisdom therefore dictates to every man the advice, which Jeremiah gave to Baruch, “Are you seeking great things unto yourself? Seek them not! Jeremiah 45:5.”
3. She preferred a state of domestic quiet, to all the happiness that arises from external and adventitious circumstances.
It is a great mistake to imagine that happiness can be found in amusements of any kind. They involve no small measure of trouble in the pursuit of them, and they almost always issue in disappointment. At all events, they are but “as the crackling of thorns under a pot,” which blaze for a moment, and then expire in smoke and darkness! Ecclesiastes 7:6.
But in filling up our station in life with diligence, and administering to the welfare of all around us—there is real happiness. However much we diversify the objects of our pursuit of pleasures, we never attain any solid satisfaction, “The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing, Ecclesiastes 1:8.” But, when we are always content with whatever God has blessed us with, we possess that state of peaceful tranquility, which is the most enviable state on earth! “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness, 1 Timothy 6:6-11.”
If in a mere worldly view, and on the principles of common sense, this woman’s choice was commendable, much more was it so:
II. On the principles of Christian piety.
Let two things only be considered;
1. How little any worldly things can add to the happiness of a believing soul!
Pleasure, riches, and honor are the great objects of men’s idolatrous regard! But what pleasure can the world afford in comparison with “that peace which passes all understanding,” and that “joy which is unspeakable and full of glory”—both of which are the believer’s portion from day to day!
What are gold and silver when compared with “the unsearchable riches of Christ,” which are given even to the poorest and lowest of God’s saints!
What, too, are the most elevated titles upon earth, when put in competition with that of being “sons of God, and joint-heirs with Christ!”
If we could imagine two angels sent from Heaven, one to rule an empire, and the other to sweep the streets—they would be equally happy in discharging the offices assigned to them, because they would have no happiness but in God.
Just so it is with us, in proportion as we grow in grace. We shall, “in whatever state we are placed, be content,” and, while “having nothing, consider ourselves as possessing all things.”
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that!” 1 Timothy 6:6-8.”
2. How entirely our future abundance depends on our present moderation!
We are told by our Lord that “The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and render it unfruitful;” and we see in Demas this sad effect, “Demas has forsaken us, having loved this present evil world.” The things of this life are as “thick clay to the feet” of one who is running a race, or as “a long garment” that impedes his every step. Hence we are told to cast off both the one and the other, that we may “so run as to obtain the prize.”
Now no one would doubt the wisdom of complying with this advice when striving for an earthly crown; nor can anyone doubt it in reference to the spiritual “race that is set before us.” Hence, when the question was put to David, “Who will show us any good?” he replied, “Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us! Psalm 4:6.”
Seeing now that this Shunamite’s choice was so wise, let us inquire,
1. Whence it is that this godly disposition is so rare.
She improved for the Lord the property she possessed. She spent it not on carnal gratifications, but devoted what she could to pious uses. Now by acting on that principle we suppress all worldly-mindedness, and attain a superiority to all covetous desires.
But how few act on that principle! How few regard their property as given them of the Lord for the carrying on of his service, and for the promotion of his glory!
Hence it is that worldly advancement is so coveted; and that few, with such prospects as were now opened to this pious woman, would have the wisdom or the fortitude to follow her example.
2. How we may attain this godly disposition.
Nothing will so soon or so effectually deliver us from worldly desires, as the acquisition and experience of heavenly joys! Our Lord told the Samaritan woman that “whoever should drink of Jacob’s well, would thirst again; but that whoever should drink of the water that he would give, should never thirst.” And so we find it invariably. “By the cross of Christ, the world will become crucified unto us, and we unto the world.” Let us then “set our affections on things above, and not on things on the earth.” So shall we both advance our happiness here on earth, and secure a more exalted happiness in the realms above.
Charles Simeon