Is It Really Worth It?
. . . After Naaman had traveled some distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him."
So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked. "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.' " By all means, take two talents," . . .
When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things . . . and put them away in the house.
. . . When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered.
But Elisha said to him, "Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes -- or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?
Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and his skin was leprous -- it had become as white as snow.
2 Kings 5:19-27
So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked. "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.' " By all means, take two talents," . . .
When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things . . . and put them away in the house.
. . . When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha said to him, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" "Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered.
But Elisha said to him, "Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes -- or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?
Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and his skin was leprous -- it had become as white as snow.
2 Kings 5:19-27
"Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes…?" It is simply amazing that Gehazi lied to Elisha about what he had done, knowing very well that if God had healed a leprous man through Elisha, he could very well expose Gehazi's nefarious deeds as well.
Why in the world would he expose himself to divine judgment and wrath? Was money and clothing worth his becoming leprous? Was it worth passing the curse of leprosy down the generational lineage after him? So what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but becomes leprous? Is it really worth it? When the fear of God is absent, any person is capable of doing the most wicked, disgraceful, destructive and unthinkable thing. It is evident that Gehazi, even though he walked in the corridors of divine power, was not genuinely touched by the LORD. He had no true fear of God. There are many using the name of God but have no true fear of God -- many Gehazis.
It is important to understand that God can neither be mocked nor taken for granted. He is definitely a God of love but also a God of judgment as well. We always run into trouble when we satisfy our perceived needs outside of God's plan and provision for our lives. God has a plan to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Lying and cheating is definitely not part of that plan. It only leads to leprosy! Leprosy could be time in jail; loss of respect; destruction of family; loss of one's job or career etc., the list is endless.
Are you tempted to greedily satisfy a need in your life sinfully and illegally? Think twice before you risk it all. First ask yourself, "Is it really worth it?"
Why in the world would he expose himself to divine judgment and wrath? Was money and clothing worth his becoming leprous? Was it worth passing the curse of leprosy down the generational lineage after him? So what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but becomes leprous? Is it really worth it? When the fear of God is absent, any person is capable of doing the most wicked, disgraceful, destructive and unthinkable thing. It is evident that Gehazi, even though he walked in the corridors of divine power, was not genuinely touched by the LORD. He had no true fear of God. There are many using the name of God but have no true fear of God -- many Gehazis.
It is important to understand that God can neither be mocked nor taken for granted. He is definitely a God of love but also a God of judgment as well. We always run into trouble when we satisfy our perceived needs outside of God's plan and provision for our lives. God has a plan to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Lying and cheating is definitely not part of that plan. It only leads to leprosy! Leprosy could be time in jail; loss of respect; destruction of family; loss of one's job or career etc., the list is endless.
Are you tempted to greedily satisfy a need in your life sinfully and illegally? Think twice before you risk it all. First ask yourself, "Is it really worth it?"
Prayer: Lord, please help me to make nothing but the right choices at all times. Amen.