What scriptural principles warn against greed, as seen in Gehazi's pursuit? Gehazi’s Run After Riches • 2 Kings 5 : 21 sets the tone: “So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, ‘Is everything all right?’” • Elisha’s servant was supposed to celebrate Naaman’s healing grace-gift, not chase payment. That “running” pictures a heart already sprinting after possessions. Greed Distorts Service • Matthew 6 : 24: “You cannot serve God and money.” Gehazi tried to serve both—impossible. • 1 Timothy 6 : 10: “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil… pierced themselves with many sorrows.” Gehazi’s sorrows arrived as leprosy (v. 27). • Luke 12 : 15: “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed…” Service becomes self-service when greed takes the wheel. God Sees Hidden Motives • Hebrews 4 : 13: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” Elisha could repeat Gehazi’s secret conversation word for word (v. 26) because the Lord already saw it. • Jeremiah 17 : 10: “I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind…” The pursuit may be hidden from people, never from the Master. Contentment Is the Antidote • Philippians 4 : 11: “I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.” • 1 Timothy 6 : 6: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Naaman’s silver and garments could never add one ounce to the true riches Gehazi already enjoyed as Elisha’s aide. Integrity in Ministry Matters • 1 Thessalonians 2 : 5: “We never used words of flattery or a pretext for greed.” • Acts 20 : 33-35: “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold… ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Elisha had just modeled that generosity by refusing Naaman’s gift; Gehazi reversed it. Judgment Follows Greed • 2 Kings 5 : 27: “Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and your descendants forever.” Sin has consequences, sometimes immediate and public. • Acts 5 : 1-11 shows the New-Testament echo: Ananias and Sapphira’s greedy deception met swift judgment. The Better Path of Generous Stewardship • Proverbs 11 : 24-25: “One gives freely, yet gains even more… A generous soul will prosper.” • 2 Corinthians 9 : 6: “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” • Proverbs 15 : 27: “He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household.” Gehazi’s household bore that trouble in perpetuity. Live It Out • Choose contentment over covetousness; gratitude silences the urge to run after “more.” • Keep motives transparent before God; invite His searchlight daily. • Serve with open hands and an open ledger—integrity that handles money as stewardship, not ownership. • Remember that generosity mirrors the Lord who freely healed Naaman and freely gave us salvation. |
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