She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy. —Proverbs 31:20
A biblical example of someone who went out of her way to extend her hand to those who were in need is the Shunammite woman who helped the prophet, Elisha. A wealthy woman, she noticed that Elisha frequently traveled through the area. Not satisfied with merely giving him food as a rest stop on his journey, she actually built a room for him to stay in whenever he was passing through.
When Elisha offered to speak of her to the king, something that would be a great step forward for a woman of wealth and local status, she refused. She had no desire for status. This statement is also the Bible’s way of hinting at her role as provider for all those in need in her area. “I have a home among my own people” implied that even though she was wealthy, her primary concern was the local people who depended on her.
She didn’t wait for the needy to come to her asking for help. She didn’t just help those who sought her out. She extended her hand, and sought out the people who were in need.
