Debt-related Anxiety

Text: II Kings 4:1-7   IBCWPM    October 5, 2005

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

   Debt-related anxiety is a peace-robbing enemy of both rich and poor people who were not able to attain a well-balanced monetary state of affairs because of many inevitable causes. Apparently, man’s modern way of combating worries of life cannot promise a bit of everlasting oasis.       

   Peace is the cry of people from all walks of life today, but it’s quite sad because most worriers are seeking peace from the wrong source. Their hearts are troubled greatly to the point that they overlook the precious promises of God and limit the working of the Holy Ghost in their lives because of unbelief.  

   It is a fact that the world cannot afford to give peace to human race and yet many worriers are embracing its deceitful promises. No one can give us peace like the Prince of Peace. True peace comes only from the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, His promises never fail, but many times our faith seems to fail unreasonably.

   The Bible account of the widow’s oil offers us a relevant message that will surely motivate us to put our trust in the Lord especially during crucial moments. Christians should not be worriers, but warriors against debt-related anxieties.

   In I Peter 5:7-9, it is written, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (KJV)                   

                      (I) The Cry Of Today

    II Kings 4:1

    -Financial problem

   In II Kings 4:1, it is written, Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. (KJV) A closer look on these verses presents us a well-captured sharp photograph of the sorrowful situation of the widow during the time of Elisha. Who can ignore her extreme poverty? Truly, debt-related worrying is creeping in unhindered even in the believers’ homes.

   Financial problem must be carefully analyzed and handled in accordance with the principles of the Scriptures so we may not panic and lose hope. The Lord will never let the righteous suffer hunger and die with the wicked.         

   -Creditors’ nerve-racking dealings

   In times of financial crises, be calm and pray to God for your needs. Don’t refresh your heart by swimming in the enticing blue water infested with “loan sharks.” Wisdom is a must-have of Christians today in their dealings with the children of the world.   

                      (II) The Needed Inventory

     II Kings 4:1-2

     -All-purpose inventory

   In verse 2, Elisha said, “What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house?” And she said, “Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” (KJV) A believer who knows the importance of all-purpose inventory is a prudent man.

   The widow lost her God-fearing and loving husband and her money, and by the time Elisha talked to her, her sons were about to be taken from her. The pot of oil was the only thing she claimed to have at that time.

   The widow may seem too poor to others, but undoubtedly, Elisha perceived that though the widow lost her husband, his husband’s integrity was still alive in their home. She may have lost his earthly possessions, but her faith in God was still there ready to soar up. Bear in mind God can use even the simple things we have in this life to lift us up.           

                      (II) The Ultimate Solution

     II Kings 4:3-7

     -Faith in God

   Hope can put smile on our faces during trying moments. The greater faith we have, the more we can enjoy a “worry free life.”   

    -Motivation from men of God

   In II Kings 4:2-4, it is written, And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. (KJV) Elisha showed his willingness to help the widow by asking her what he shall do for her. He helped her to put things together in their proper places and motivated her to obey his God-impressed instructions.    

   Motivating words from servants of God play an important role in exercising our faith in God. Elisha’s visible presence and words motivated the widow to put her trust in the Lord, and God remembered her.

    -Rewarding application of God-given messages

   Application of God-given messages gives every believer surprising blessings which could be beyond his imagination; and that exactly what happened to the widow when she carefully obeyed the instructions of Elisha.

   In II Kings 4:5-7, it is written, So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. (KJV) What a wonderful work of God in the life of the widow! Many times we hear inspiring messages from servants of God but because of lack of faith, we tend to overlook the power of God and the rewarding application of the Word.

   Are you worrying about so many things today? The Lord said in Matthew 6:33-34, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (KJV) Trust the Lord Jesus Christ and be blessed!