“And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10 Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall, and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so, it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” ~ II Kings 4:9-10
REFERENCE:
Who pays a prophet’s wage? When a servant of God has given himself to the work of ministry, putting the needs of others above his, praying for them while his needs remain unmet, and paying visits to the distressed while he battles with loneliness, who ensures that he is adequately compensated? It is God almighty. He is the only One who can pay a prophet’s wage.
From the day of his ordination, Elisha moved from place to place, dispensing God’s will, grace, mercy, and judgment as the occasion deserved. He healed the spring of water at Jericho, cursed some young men who mocked and ridiculed the Lord’s anointed, and supplied water to the army of King Jehoram – without wind or rain, their ditches got filled with water. Later, Elisha was in the house of an impoverished widow to help her become financially liquid and debt-free.
After all these, Elisha may have battled with thoughts about meeting his needs. Also, he may have remembered how God cared for his ‘father’ in the ministry by sending ravens and a widow to care for him. It wasn’t long after all his church exploits that God put it in the heart of this rich woman of Shunem to bless Elisha. She began by feeding him regularly and later built him a well-furnished apartment. I doubt that Elisha had enough income to build such.
God ensured that Elisha was adequately compensated and remunerated. Serving God pays better than working in the best of human institutions. If God says, “A laborer is worthy of his wages,” do you think He will not ‘pay’ your wages for every service you render to Him, His people, and the Kingdom? He is not unjust; He remembers every labor of love. He will pay you.
Be encouraged. You may be giving your all to serve God and His people and feel ‘empty;’ God says payday is coming. It is also a call to those of us who receive the service and ministry of God’s servants, ministers, and workers in His church/kingdom to ensure we support them with our material blessings. It is your privilege to do it. If those in Jerusalem, Jericho, Bethel, or Judea will not do it, God will raise a woman in Shunem to do it. God pays His prophet’s wages.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
I Timothy 5:17-18, I Corinthians 9:8-14, and Luke 22:35
PRAYER:
+ Lord, I thank You for the privilege to serve Your Kingdom and people in the capacity I presently do. I receive grace to be more faithful and committed to my ‘calling.’
+ Lord, I welcome every wage and reward that accrues me for serving in Your vineyard.
+ Lord, I ask that you raise men, women, and institutions to be channels of Your reward in my life.
