A Great Woman

Be content with such things as ye have: — Hebrews 13:5

The Bible speaks of a woman who lived in Shunem who was “a great woman” (2 Kings 4:8). She is the only woman in the Bible that is called “a great woman.” That is God’s estimation of her. If God says she was great, it is because she was truly great. God never flatters anyone.

Several things could be said about this Shunammite woman that made her great—Her hospitality and care towards God’s servants; her spiritual perception; her generosity, etc.  However, I think one overlooked quality of her greatness was her contentment.

When the prophet Elisha wished to show his appreciation for all the care she bestowed on him, he asked her what he could do for her (1 Kings 13:13). Would she like for him to put in a good word for her to the King or the captain of the host?  I love her answer—“I dwell among mine own people.” In other words, this woman was perfectly  content to remain right where she was. She didn’t need anything more than she already had.

The following story illustrates what real contentment is. The was a king who was terribly discontent. He had everything he wanted, but still unsatisfied.  A counselor offered this advice, “The solution to your discontentment is simple: Find a man in your kingdom who is genuinely content. Order the shirt off his back and wear his shirt for two weeks. At the end of two weeks, you’ll be totally content.” So he sent his soldiers throughout the realm. They searched high and low and finally found a man who was totally content. “Where is his shirt?” the king asked.

“He doesn’t own one,” his soldiers replied.

Amen! The man or woman who is content is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.  True greatness is seen in being content.

“…godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN.”— 1 Timothy 6:6