There is a fascinating story in the biblical book of 2 Kings 4. I urge you to read it first for context.

In the story, a widow approaches Elisha the prophet, in desperation. Her husband had died leaving debts, and the creditor wanted to make her sons slaves, as a form of payment. Hence, she was appealing to the prophet for help.

There are many life lessons that I learned from this story. I will share some of them.

1. Identify Power Centres

I’m unsure what the window expected from the prophet exactly. It seemed a financial matter, not a spiritual one. Was he to miraculously make the creditor disappear or conjure up money from air?

But, the widow appealed to the only power centre she knew. She couldn’t reach the King, and the matter was urgent. She knew the prophet had wisdom, power & influence, and he was accessible.

Which power centers are within your reach?

2. Cash in Goodwill

The widow showed wisdom. She first reminded Elisha of her late husband’s service. She had inadvertently pulled out a legacy goodwill chip that could be cashed in the present.

There are places I’ve been to where my name elicits the response, “I knew your father.” Or, I say where I worked and the response is, “Oh we know your former boss.” Then, things become easier for me.

Many of you will be favoured because you have served faithfully or someone else has done so before you. Don’t waste your goodwill.

Sometimes, people use their goodwill on silly requests or on third-parties that are far removed from them.

Once your chip is cashed, you can’t use it again.

3. Know What’s in Your Hands

It is interesting that the prophet first asked the widow what she wanted him to do for her. But seeing the widow came to him for that wisdom in the first place, he changed track. He asked a question she could answer – what do you have of value?

We all have something we can contribute to our own deliverance. And someday, life will ask that question of you.

4. Be Vulnerable

The widow was humble enough to admit a crisis and to ask for help. She was vulnerable enough to reveal her family problems to a trusted person who could help.

Are you vulnerable?

5. Wisdom Should Precede Work

Sometimes, when you try to resolve a problem without guidance, you may expend energy in the wrong direction. You need wisdom first, and then you can act.

In the widow’s case, there was a lot of work after she was clear on what to do.

6. Use the Required Skills

You might think borrowing a bowl is easy. But a measure of negotiation skills was required of the widow. Questions would have been asked.

“Why is the widow borrowing bowls?”

“What is she planning?”

“Does she intend to return them?”

She would have had to find a plausible narrative that would allow her to complete the assignment with little suspicion.

7. Make No Assumptions

Upon filling the bowls, what to do with the bounty appeared obvious. But the widow checked in with the prophet first.

The prophet then told her what to do next and counselled that she do so behind closed doors.

Sometimes, God gives an instruction and it’s helpful to get feedback and continual insights from him.

8. Hard Work is Inevitable

The widow and her sons needed to transport and carry the bowls. They had to fill and store them. And the story presumes some urgency and consistency – that they kept going until there were no more bowls left.

Having received an instruction to sell the oil to pay of her debts and to create an additional income, the widow drew on sales and investing skills.

Remember, at some point, the oil stopped flowing. There would be no more miracles. So, it was imperative she did not sabotage her shot at financial freedom. After the miracle came a season of work, discipline, investing and replanting.

What did you learn from the story? What did you find applicable?

Thank you for reading.