15Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
16The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused...
After Naaman had traveled some distance, 20Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, 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.”
21So 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.
22“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 Eraim. Please give them a talentd of silver and two sets of clothing.’ ”
23“By all means, take two talents,” said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left.
25When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”
“Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.
26But 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?27Naaman’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.
Thoughts: A laborer is worth his hire. Paul speaks of those who work full time for the Lord should get paid. But laborers for the Lord must always be willing to let the glory go to God and to do some things for Him for free. Elishah did not want Naaman to think he could pay for God's help. Gehazi, his servant, knew Namaan was rich and could afford it, while he and Elishah were not wealthy men. Namaan was not trying to cheat the man of God out of anything. But Gehazi wasn't trying to get paid what was right, but was trying to go behind God and Elishah's back. He was taking God;s credit and thought he deserved Namaan's gifts. But you cannot fool God. He sees everything, Gehazi needed to let go of his greed. So Namaan was healed of his leprosy to give God glory, and Gehazi who wished to take some of the glory got leprosy.
Prayer: Lord, let me remember that all I have is from you. May you receive the glory always.
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