Debt Free: God's Promise, Our Duty & Your FreedomSýnishorn

“I think this is what we all want to hear: that we are not alone in hitting the bottom, and that it is possible to come out of that place courageous, beautiful, and strong.” ― Anna White

Few people have hit rock bottom as hard as the widow found in 2 Kings 4. Her husband and provider passed away and their debts now threaten to cost her what she loves most in the world: her two sons. The widow is entirely out of options. She has exhausted the extent of her means, creativity, and work. Now, the only solution is a miracle. 

When the woman sees Elisha, her hope, in some small way, is restored. She asks him for help and rather than saying a prayer and wiping away her debt, Elisha gives her a homework assignment. “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars” (v.3). 

Personally, I probably would have challenged Elisha on this. Are you sure this is what God wants me to do?

But the widow gets right to it, knocking on every door she could find and sending her sons out to collect jars as well. And just as Elisha said, the oil kept running until every last jar, big and small, was full to brim.

For a second, I want to take your attention off of the characters explicitly mentioned in this story. There’s another character who, although not highlighted, is directly responsible for the miracle: the neighbors.

What would have happened if the neighbors weren’t willing to lend her their jars? You see, human kindness is often an essential element of God’s miracles. This leads us to two truths.

1. It’s good, and even Biblical, to ask for help with your debt.
2. You are called to be a neighbor, a miracle-helper, for others.

God will likely use others to help you achieve freedom. And He will most definitely use you to help others achieve their freedom too.