People, there's "A Life of Essentials" and that's what we're here to talk on.
I know you're already wondering what sort of life that is.
You're also curious - on your tiptoes, wanting to see it all. Some are already asking, "can you just go into the heart of the matter?"
Alright!
Let's dive!
Whenever God wants to bless a man, He would command the light to come suddenly on him. It'll look "suddenly" because it'll grow out at once and all will be left to wonder at how quick the manifestation was.
Meanwhile, this act is not like a plant raised in the night whose destiny in turn is to die in the night very soon (Jonah 4:10). There's an order it follows!
Consider the great woman of Shunem who nudged her husband to build a place for Elisha. Guess what she said.
II Kings 4:9, KJV
"And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually."
Until this time, we never saw God's workings being acknowledged for what it is. Do you know why? It has not yet sprouted out.
The Bible says in Isaiah 43:19, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?..."
Mark the usage, "now it shall spring forth..."
It means, "to grow out, to make come out, to be wrought, to be done, to be manifested (caused) for eyes to see and for all men to acknowledge."
It's not the day a seed sprouts out we know it exists. However, we evidently acknowledge its existence solidly because of its physical manifestation above the ebb.
That's why we only sum the total workings of God into the thanksgiving we send at manifestation. Only if we'll reckon that much behind scene works had gone into that manifestation. Then, we'll stop celebrating the tip of the iceberg.
Consider Elisha's! He had passed by that road many times. That's why that woman could say, "...I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually."
Mark the word, "continually." It shows repeated action. However, on each occasion Elisha passes, this woman watches until she became convinced that Elisha is different from other travellers. Something assured her heart that this one is a holy man of God. Let me summarily tell you what she saw. It's what the Bible calls, "your manner of life" in II Tim.3:10 and "your chaste behaviour" in I Pet. 3:2.
That woman saw in Elisha even as he continually passes a life void of greed but carrying the deep mark of humility, contentment (one who doesn't own all but have all), awe and the power of God that could be felt. Unlike other travellers that have passed that same road whose gazes only clung to the money bags and the material things of this world, Elisha begged to differ. He never admired the world around him in his pilgrimage. Rather, he only passes through it to his destination as often as he passed that road. He was never distracted to the flashy wares being sold or have his attention diverted by the voices of money doublers or those dazzling people with magic or better still, mirages. The woman saw this and gasped, "this is a holy man of God!" She saw reverence - the one that only gods could possess. Even as Elisha passes, all the noise at the market place seems to quieten down, the children seem to give attention and stop their play as if a whale was passing.
Something about him grips everyone and distinguishes him from the world around him. So, she came to confession time having verified by observations the truth that, "this is a holy man of God which passes by us continually."
The idea of, "which passes by us continually" means he is God sent and God will have us house him. It means he is an opportunity we dare not to miss any longer; a blessing that we need to make room for urgently. We've trivialized him until now by not acknowledging him for who he is but the time of ignorance God has winked at. Now, let's do well to bring him in. Don't let us miss out on what God is planning to do. What happened after Elisha's accommodation is a history that you know very well. The perception of this woman eventually pays her off.
So, it was at this point of recognition that what God had been doing sprouted out! We never knew it until that woman calls her husband's attention to the passing of Elisha and that she has done her due diligence by verifying the information she's giving. Elisha is, "a holy man of God" who is worthy of being housed; not a rascal, robber or someone who'll bring them imminent harm.
But until then, imagine the limitedness the human senses are fretted with. It just lacked enough sense to travel back and trace the roots of events that led to the acceptance of Elisha. And when it does, it doesn't know all that meets for it. Why? There are background scenes! That's what we take for granted. You should come out of it and show gratitude for every inch God takes you.
Anyway, the man of God was perceived and his matter was brought up for consideration before the family head. After the bill was passed and accepted, men were moved to site and swift work began. What resulted after that?
They indeed made a place for Elisha like this woman suggested when she sought her husband's permission.
II Kings 4:10, KJV
"Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither."
Now, did you ever wonder why it was only a 'bed - for resting/sleeping, table - for eating/reading, stool (chair) - for sitting and candlestick - for reading/light' that were set in Elisha's newly prepared room?
Why not any other additional thing?
Or, do you think it was for the want of things they didn't deck his room with Arabian rugs?
No! Those are just unimportant. You must have learnt that, "man shall not live by bread alone but only by the essence or the essential which the Bible calls the Word that proceeds out of God's mouth" (Matt. 4:4).
As it concerns Elisha, he also only needed the essentials. He doesn't need the complications of this world that never satisfies. He is a man of contentment and the things provided him are just enough for use. This is who a man of God should be - contented, void of jangling and greedy for which some sin [or kill] when they cannot have. What eventually become sin is lust that has mature (James 1:14-15). Beware!
Now that we know that Elisha was provided with the essentials because he only needed the essentials settles out hearts to continue.
Do you know the Bible passage that's occurring to my mind now? It's I Timothy 6:8 that says, "But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content."
That's a life of essentials - that makes you free of many worries and escape many temptations and hurtful things others who desire to be rich or amass wealth fall into. That life should be the life of every Christian and man of God. Even if you're wealthy, that mind of "a life of essentials" should still be at the back of your mind.
When the Bible says, "but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content", it means, "those will suffice", "those will make us to stop searching restlessly and frantically", "that being in place will make us restful - filling us with gratitude over what we have while jettisoning or despising what doesn't matter." As such, we'll be free and light like a bird that's at any time ready for flight.
Not everything is important. One mark of maturity is to identify what is and what is not in this life. It'll free you from working overdue and stretching/straining to live.
If anyone refuses to operate by that mindset and practice, he'll get into trouble and begin to be visited by what will entangle him.
Read expressly what the Bible says will entangle such life that doesn't operate with the principle of "a life of essentials."
"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."
What does this mean?
Is this a discouraging label on wealth?
No! What Paul is contrasting is contentment with God's provision and the restless pursuit of riches. It doesn't mean don't work or work hard. You can give services that'll bring wealth but don't make wealth a must goal. Those who do are usually blinded by that target. All you'll hear them cry over will be wealth, riches, money, possessions to the neglect of 'weightier matters' in their lives. As such, some sacrificed family, rest and peace of mind for riches and even God's kingdom for a morsel of bread i.e a contract.
Mark the word, "restless" in my explanation. In the long run, such people might stain their consciences. The Bible here was not hammering wealth but the will to be rich - a posture of covetousness.
I hope you've met people like the passage described here before. They'll say, "at all costs, I must be rich and I will be rich. I'll do whatsoever it'll take. Anything!" They are the desperate ones! Those are the people who'll cut corners somewhere, engage in illicit affairs for promotion and not spare seeking the occult for success. The Bible seriously warns against the idolatry of wealth (Prov. 28:20; Matt. 19:23-24).
Rather, it preaches contentment and godliness, a posture that says life is not measured by material possession (Lk.12:15).
Rather, it is a life of essentials which if we have [and we are normal on the inside], we should be content!
A life that's not getting bugged by what is ruining others. How blessed is the life that can say, "but if we have food and clothing (basic necessities), with these we shall be content."
That life can make do with just one shade of bag for every occasion. It doesn't need to have different colours for different occasions. She's therefore free of fretting and showbiz.
You see, Elisha won't be the first to live this kind of life. Even Elijah lived it. Once in an ongoing famine, God sets a table before Elijah but not to indulge him. He drinks from Brook Cherith and the ravens bring him meat (bread). However, they only did it twice a day. No elaborateness in his feeding. No excesses! God only fed him with the food due him. As a matter of fact, Proverbs 30:8-9 says, "feed me with food convenient for me."
I Kings 17:6, KJV
"And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook."
Did you see? "In the morning and in the evening?"
Even John lived that life? Jesus testifying of John says, "who have you gone to see?"
Luke 7:25, KJV
"But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts."
It means those who live in luxury are in kings' courts! Those are wanton eaters, not John!
Down the line, God never approves of materialism. Even for his servants, He clothed and fed them like grass that'll be thrown into the fire (oven) tomorrow (Matt. 6:30).
What God promotes is a life of essentials! Many things that people are dying for are not worth it. The last shoe I bought was in 2023. I've changed its soles twice because I considered I didn't need to buy a new one. I just don't bother on the many things killing people. I didn't own a suit (as an adult) until I needed to officiate at someone's wedding as one of the groomsmen. I was already working before I owned my first set yet I'd gone to preach in different places without a suit. Yet some would say, "you must essentially suit up." You don't need it if you can make do with what you have as a minister and not lose respect. The few suits I have now were not gotten or motivated by frivolities but needs/purposes in their times.
Believers should ask and test themselves against some practical applications of I Timothy 6:8-9.
First is consumerism. Our world's culture equates success with possessions - better gadgets, cars, houses, clothes etc. This verse challenges us to ask: Do I really need more or am I driven by discontent? Practicing gratitude for “food and raiment” helps break the endless cycle of comparison and dissatisfaction.
Another is the damage of prosperity gospel. Some teachings present wealth as the chief evidence of God’s favour. Many there be in town now. It looks subtle and self gratifying which is why it has been very cozy for many to accept undetected. Paul warns that the desire for riches is spiritually perilous. True godliness isn’t measured by bank accounts but by contentment, generosity and trust in God. Stop quoting III John 1:2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" in support of this claim.
We may also need to speak on leadership and integrity. The many scandals - political, business, even ecclesiastical stem from greed. The many hauled to court for financial misappropriation are practical evidences. Leaders who “will be rich” often compromise truth for profit. For Christian leaders, these verses are a safeguard: the focus must remain on service, not self-enrichment. Why I am preaching is not to become a millionaire but to "lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:11).
When you know the truth, you have freedom. Even, freedom from anxiety and certain worries. Contentment is liberating. If God provides our daily bread and clothing, we can rest in His care. This frees us from destructive worry about keeping up with others or securing endless material gain.
Lastly, this truth attunes us to cultivate an eternal perspective. Wealth can drown a person “in destruction and perdition.” This reminds us that material pursuits, if unchecked, end in loss - not just financial but spiritual. Therefore, you must constantly weigh earthly desires against eternal values. We're called to embrace simplicity, gratitude, integrity and eternity in view.
The will or craving for riches becomes spiritually dangerous because it re-orients a person's desires away from God towards materialism.
What does that woman say about Elisha to her husband, "and let us set for him there a bed and a table and a stool, and a candlestick..." That's another way to say, "but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
All the things here are undebatably necessities. They clearly have their reasons for being set there. They are basic amenities to make Elisha's life easy and fulfill the purpose of his stopping to rest and then having time for God - even through study of God's law. None of those care was without a purpose. Elisha can't come in and query, "why did they put this here? I have no need for it!"
Having a television is a luxury. Thanks we all have one. If you don't have one or watch it or sit before it, will it show you didn't have or watch television today?
It's just a piece of technology we acquire that may stay useless most of the time. You can entertain your guests by giving them your presence and striking live and meaningful conversations with them. I prefer such a heart to heart talk when people visit me, except I want them to listen to a sermon or something for their education.
No over indulgence in this example set for us. No feeding until the stomach bursts!
You don't need to buy what you'll later look back in retrospect and ask, "why did I even buy this?"
If you keep finding yourself in that shoe, watch who you are competing with. It means you have a problem at your gate.
And if I'll tell you a simple truth, the interior decoration and home furnishing they did for Elisha here is being praised nowadays. That's what experts will call "the minimalist approach" in home furnishing/setting.
The furniture or sets in that room didn't drown it - making Elijah cry for want of space. This woman of Shunem though was practicing, "but if we have food and clothing, we shall be content" was rather knocking on what modernists would later call an approach or a way of life in art and design. The core of the minimalist approach in home decoration can be summed up in one phrase: “Less but better.” Let's go into the core of home decoration and furnishing.
The Simplicity of Space
Rooms are kept open, uncluttered and airy. Empty space is treated as part of the design and not as something to be filled. Every sitting room must have this allowance. It allows for proper maneuvering and gives enough creative spaces that'll paint a psychological picture of freedom instead of bondage when decked and choked by heavy furniture and adornments - on the wall and in space.
Functional Essentials
Every piece of furniture or décor must serve a clear purpose - either functional (a chair, a lamp) or deeply meaningful (a single artwork, a family photo). No excess.
Neutral Color Palette
Whites, grays, blacks, and earthy tones dominate. Colors are subtle, often used as accents rather than the main theme, creating calmness and cohesion. Avoid colour riots and confusion. It'll consequently affect your mood and can sip into your thinking.
A minimalist home values a few high-quality, durable and timeless items rather than many trendy or disposable ones. This way, they cut spending by the years and in the future, only living on their evergreen sets.
Clean Lines and Forms
Furniture and décor emphasize simple, straight or smooth lines. Ornamentation is minimal. Shapes are sleek and understated. This gives room to the minds of onlookers to roam as they seek to interpret the shapes and grasp what each piece communicates. Don't overcrowd their thinking. That's when they can be appreciative of the visuals around them.
Natural Light & Materials
Large windows, open spaces and natural materials (wood, stone, metal etc) create a sense of warmth and connection with nature. Having light sip in gives you ample opportunity to raise indoor plants and enables an environment of relaxation instead of irritation.
Decluttered Living
Minimalism is not just an aesthetic; it’s a lifestyle choice that reduces unnecessary possessions, focusing on what adds value and joy only.
So, ask yourself? Does my home even reflect the minimalist decoration that our verses for the day have been all about? Does it create peace, order and clarity by removing excess and highlighting what truly matters: function, beauty and meaning or I'm discontented wanting to cover 'nothing with everything.'
Life is not in the abundance of what a man owns! Every Man only needs a ration to survive in this life no matter how covetous he is. He can't just make do adequately and comfortably with the goods and loads of many people. It can't but vex and endanger him! That's why having too much confuses people of what choices to make. That's why some have a high rated opinion of themselves - having come to trust fleeting riches. Some have even gotten to a place where they do not know what they want again. So, they keep chasing new fleeting pleasures thinking in them is satiation.
What do you need? Just the essentials. It's Jeff and Sheri Easter that sings, "Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings On Me." Have a taste:
"There's a roof up above me
I've a good place to sleep
There's food on my table
And shoes on my feet
You gave me Your love, Lord
And a fine family
Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me."
Believe this, be content and see how different your life will take turn.
Olusola ADEJUMO,
M'Wings.
Morning Wings Ministry, Nigeria.
+234 81 3704 6812
morningwingsministryplus@gmail.com
3/10/25
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