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An economics lesson from Elisha
When I consider news of recessions, lack of financial stability for families or countries, and job scarcity, I’m often sent back to the Old Testament, where I encounter one of the most effective economists the world has ever known. The biblical prophet Elisha left a record of healing work that provides us, to this day, permanent solutions that apply to worldwide and individual economic conditions.
In Second Kings, chapter 4, a widow approaches Elisha and explains that she has a large amount of debt, that she has not been able to restructure this debt (the current focus of many economic efforts worldwide), and that as a result, the bankers are going to take her two sons as collateral. The situation would take away her ability to secure income in the future, since her sons would not be earning wages for the household.
Elisha asks the widow a question that has brought a leavening spiritual perspective and healing to many households: “What hast thou in the house?” The widow names her most valuable asset: oil. (This was oil used for bodily ointment and possibly for burial purposes.) Elisha then instructs the widow to identify and focus on her most valuable asset, not on a garage sale of unwanted debris. The most valuable asset—one that would also be valued by others, restoring the perfect economic balance between supply and demand!
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
May 14, 2012 issue
View Issue-
Letters
Alistair Budd, Joe Smuin, Doug F. Brown, Sandy Trevor-Roberts
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No room for envy
Kim Shippey, Senior Staff Editor
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More than enough
Robin Hoagland
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I'm included
Amy Richmond
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Listen!
Joyce Eklund
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Where's Waldo?
Mark Slettehaugh
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A lesson from Denali
Darci Niles
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An economics lesson from Elisha
James S. Rosebush
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Daniel in the pepper's den
Elly Uehling
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'Rise up and walk'
Penelope DuCharme Darling
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Spiritual subtexts in writing fiction
Kim Shippey, Senior Staff Editor
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On the road again
Emily Mattson
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Truth detector
Samantha Frank
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The pecan tree
Hank Richter
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The power of the testimony
Kim Crooks Korinek
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Prayer for racial justice in Australia
Beverley Beddoes-Mills
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'Tone up' your spiritual identity
Brian Hall
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Board work––a healing service
Inge Schmidt
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Committed to Christian hope
Shirley T. Paulson
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Daughter's eye healed
Dana Castle with contributions from Madison Castle
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Freed from chronic knee and hip trouble
Judy McCormick
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Real health-care breakthroughs
The Editors