The Shunammite Woman: Gospel Generosity
2 Kings 4:8-16
Introduction: Most of us don’t think of ourselves as rich. We imagine “rich people” as someone else. Someone with more, someone with bigger, someone with better. But the Scripture challenges that assumption:
Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 1:7-8: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.”
Ephesians 1:11: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.”
Phillip Ryken reminds us: “Many of us are among the rich. Even Westerners who live below the poverty line are among the wealthiest 10 percent of the world.” So, the warnings in Scripture about wealth? They are not for “other people.” They are for us.
I. God cares for both the rich and the poor
The passage begins by describing the Shunammite woman as a “wealthy woman” (2 Kings 4:8), literally, a “great woman,” someone of means, influence, and standing.
Scripture is honest about wealth. It gives both affirmation and warning.
Wealth can be a blessing from God.
Wealth can also become a snare, a temptation, a false refuge.
The question is not whether we have wealth. The question is whether wealth has us.
Paul asks us in 1 Corinthians 4:7: “What do you have that you did not receive?” Everything we have: every meal, every paycheck, every opportunity is a gift from God.
Paul David Tripp notes, we often reverse the order; we assume wealth exists primarily to secure our lives, and whatever is left can be given to God. But Jesus corrects this in Matthew 6:31-32: “Do not be anxious‚ your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
God takes responsibility for our needs so that we are freed to participate in His gospel purposes. Paul David Tripp continues, “God’s grace is radically transformative and has the power to free us from viewing money as our means to get and begin to see money as our means to give. God’s primary purpose for entrusting us with money is not personal provision, but generosity toward others. The money the Lord provides for us is a means of making his invisible generosity visible.”
II. The Shunammite is not a hoarder but a helper (2 Kings 4:8–10)
When we see our wealth as gift, we stop hoarding and start helping. Our passage describes the Shunammite as a woman marked by hospitality, a virtue the NT repeatedly commands:
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2).
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13).
Willing to share generously
Extend hospitality insistently and graciously
Hospitality is not merely friendliness or entertaining guests. It is the joyful, sacrificial use of one’s resources to refresh the saints and advance the gospel, because God has first welcomed us in Christ (Rom. 15:7). It is grace made visible.
The Shunammite woman embodies this beautifully. She does not wait to be asked; she initiates. Notice the verbs:
She urged Elisha to eat some food (2 Kings 4:8).
She said to her husband, “Let us make a small room‚ for the holy man of God” (2 Kings 4:9-10).
Affirm and support God’s servants
The Shunammite woman’s generosity is intentional, thoughtful, and growing. She does not ask, “What is the least I can do?” but rather, “How can I meaningfully support the ministry of God’s servant?” She doesn't offer a leftover space; she builds a room specifically for Elisha because she recognizes the holiness of his calling. Her motivation is not flattery; it is partnership in the work of God. This is the broader vision of giving we desperately need. Giving is not merely meeting needs; it is joining God's mission. Phillip Ryken states, “the combination of piety and prosperity is a powerful tool for the progress of the gospel.”
Love through service, even in suffering
Thank God first and fully
Herald God’s works eagerly and readily
III. God is faithful to those who honor his word and bless his people (2 Kings 4:11–37; 8:1–6)
This point needs emphasis, and here is the biblical foundation:
God blesses those who bless His people. This is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant: “I will bless those who bless you” (Genesis 12:3). The Shunammite woman blessed God’s prophet and God blessed her.
Jesus affirms this principle. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” To bless God’s people is to bless Christ himself.
God honored the Shunammite woman’s generosity. This is an example of giving without a name. We may not know who the Shunammite woman is, but we do understand her heart.
God gave her a son (2 Kings 4:16–17).
God restored her son from death (4:32–37).
God preserved her through famine (2 Kings 8:1–6).
God restored her land and income (8:6).
Conclusion: Christ, the true and greater giver
The Shunammite woman is a beautiful example that points us to the ultimate giver:
Jesus is the one who:
left the riches of heaven to become poor for our sake (2 Cor. 8:9)
welcomed us when we were strangers (Rom. 15:7)
gave his life for us and is preparing a place for us, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2), a place not made with human hands, “…We have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
Because Christ has given us everything, we can give freely. Because Christ has welcomed us, we can welcome others. Because Christ has provided for our greatest need, we can trust Him with every lesser need.
See your wealth as stewardship, not ownership.
Practice intentional, joyful hospitality.
Support gospel ministry with purpose.
Trust God with your needs.
Bless God’s people as an act of devotion to Christ.