The Contentment of Elisha

The prophet Elisha is not as well-known as his mentor, Elijah, though Elisha actually did more recorded miracles than his mentor. 

But today I wanted to write not about Elisha’s miracles, but his character. 

In the days before he was chosen to be Elijah’s successor, Elisha was a wealthy farmer.  The story is told in 1 Kings 19:19-21.  We first meet him plowing behind 12 yoke of oxen.  12 yoke–that’s a big farming operation.  When he got the call to his prophetic duties, Elisha gave up everything.  He not only left his farming business, but even burned the yokes and slaughtered the oxen, giving the meat to the people.  

Why didn’t he sell or rent out the farm instead?  Why did he ‘burn his bridges’? 

It was what he felt he needed to do.  It was his way of showing that he was all in on God’s call.  This story is, I think, the closest Old Testament parallel to Jesus’ calling of his disciples. 

This is not to say that Elisha’s specific action–leaving and dissolving one’s business–is a model to follow for those called to God (though for some, it might be necessary).  But his actions did show that money had no hold on him–and that general principle is a model to follow. 

Afterwards, it appears that Elisha lived a lean life as a prophet, close to the land and close to the people.  One day a wealthy woman, after consulting with her husband, offered Elisha the use of an upstairs room furnished with a bed, chair, desk and lamp. 

Despite what we might call meager accommodations, Elisha was thrilled!  He didn’t say, “This was nothing compared to what I had when I was a rich farmer.”  Instead, he was grateful to have the use of this borrowed, furnished room. 

This shows that he was truly a free man.  When it came to material things, he could take them or leave them.  Money had absolutely no hold on his heart.

Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’.”  It’s interesting that the “love of money” is pictured here as something to be free from, like it was a kind of prison. 

Some are imprisoned by the love of money. 

I once read of a man who had one of those exclusive ‘black card’ credit cards–the ones that have high costs and high requirements–but are really all about prestige.  It’s a way of showing a merchant, ‘Notice that I am worthy to have the black card’.  This man later had a loss of income but was still obsessed with keeping that card, even at the cost of his responsibilities.  This man was not free. 

The obsession with money even creeps into the church.  The prosperity gospel has done a lot of harm. 

I heard recently of a ‘bishop of bling’ who was brought up on criminal charges.  It appears that his income stream could no longer keep up with his lifestyle, so he resorted to fraud and theft. 

It’s not just in America.  A man from Nigeria told me that he wanted to plant two churches in his home country (one in the largest city, and one in his birth city).  I asked why, since he was a layman.  He said that all the preachers talk about is money and he wanted a more balanced, normal church.  Good for him. 

The Apostle Paul said, “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty,” Philippians 4:11-12.

There’s a lesson here in our materialistic society.  When we see someone’s house, car, clothes…if theirs are better than ours, are we jealous?  If ours are better, are we proud?

Such attitudes are ugly.  They are also a sign of self-imprisonment.   

We should put God’s Kingdom first and then we receive his blessings in whatever way He chooses to give them.  The spiritual blessings are more important than the material. 

Elisha was a man who could take riches or leave them–whatever his station in life called for.   He was a free man.