Hoarders

February 11, 2021 (Thursday)

 

There is a story how an old English prayer warrior gave thanks for food to feed the orphanage children. Trouble is there was no food to feed them. At the end of the prayer a baker knocked at the door. Due to a sleepless night he baked bread specifically for the orphanage. About the same time, the milkman knocked, the cart had broken down and wondered if the orphanage could use the milk. Such was the life of George Mueller.

 

Jesus performed a miraculous feeding from the lunch of a young boy (see John 6:9ff). Elisha’s story also follows the lesson of God’s provision.

 

Our story opens in dramatic, even catastrophic, circumstances. “Elisha now returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. One day as the group of prophets was seated before him, he said to his servant, “Put a large pot on the fire, and make some stew for the rest of the group.” [2 Kings 4:38 NLT] A drought, a group, and a need set the table for this story.

 

One of them gathers “wild gourds.” Gourds in the colocynths family, also called bitter gourds can create severe symptoms including pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (anses.fr). After trying the stew, “Some of the stew was served to the men. But after they had eaten a bite or two they cried out, “Man of God, there’s poison in this stew!” So they would not eat it.” [2 Kings 4:40 NLT] It makes sense, considering severe stomach pain is a sign of having a medical emergency (medlineplus.gov).

 

We don’t know if Elisha knew the solution or if God provided a miracle to the situation. “Elisha said, “Bring me some flour.” Then he threw it into the pot and said, “Now it’s all right; go ahead and eat.” And then it did not harm them.” [2 Kings 4:41 NLT] My suspicion is God provided a miracle.

 

It is unclear if it is the same day or another day, but someone showed up with 20 loaves of barley bread and fresh grain (see verse 42). It is called “the firstfruits” which is another way to say “tithe.” The image is because the tithe should be the first money spent out of an increase, not an afterthought. Elisha ordered it be given to the people.

 

The response, “What?” his servant exclaimed. “Feed a hundred people with only this?” [2 Kings 4:43a NLT] I don’t know if this was Gehazi, who is named as Elisha’s servant. Whoever it was, it was a bit like the disciples who told Jesus, “we ain’t got enough” (my paraphrase). Elisha insists that God promised leftovers!

 

Imagine “not enough” becoming “more than enough.” Here’s what happened, “And when they gave it to the people, there was plenty for all and some left over, just as the Lord had promised.” [2 Kings 4:44 NLT] Can you imagine a church having more than enough resources or people? I suspect human pride, or possibly greed, or bad theology, make church leaders hoarders of resources and people.

 

Jesus did say, “After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” [John 6:12 NLT] Imagine a church with an embarrassing abundance (say, musicians or children’s workers) share with a church that is struggling. Pigs will fly first. Hoarding is embarrassing. Imagine God asking why His provided resources where hoarded and not used (shared)? Yikes!

 

This lesson is about God’s provision. Without resources, God’s work cannot be done. Pray for and depend on them.  Jesus did.