Christian Devotional – July 30, 2020

Double Portion – #22

Greed. It’s such a dangerous sin that often starts small and rationalizes its way to being bigger. Read 2 Kings 5:20-27.

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.” So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes.'” Naaman said, “Be pleased to take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags with two changes of clothes and gave them to two of his servants; and they carried them before him. When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and deposited them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. But he went in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants? Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
2 Kings 5:20‭-‬27 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/2ki.5.20-27.NASB

Gehazi wanted something for himself. He felt that Naaman got off easy with his miracle and that he should have to pay for it. So he makes a decision to run after and collect. That decision didn’t work out so well for him.

Two areas are an issue here. First, Gehazi’s greed. He claimed it was for someone else, but these items were just something he wanted for himself. Second, Gehazi’s failure to understand repentance and grace. He thought Naaman should be made to pay for the miracle he just received.

Do we let our attitudes get in the way of our ministry? If God chooses to show grace, then so should we. God was supplying all of Gehazi’s needs and he should have been content with that. Same goes for us. Are we willing to accept what God has allowed for us and for others? And not got chasing after others to supply our needs?