WATCH OUT! BE ON YOUR GUARD!
2 Kings 5:1-13
INTRODUCTION: At times in each of our lives we have all made decisions that at the time seemed so logical. But after our decision had been made and we began to move on it, it led us toward disaster. Naaman the Aramean army commander almost made such a decision. Naaman thought he knew exactly how a prophet of God should heal him and when Elisha said “Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored” Naaman went off in a huff! 2 Kings 5:13-14. Do you listen to godly counsel when it is given? Exodus 18:13-23. Where do you seek counsel? Psalm 1:1-2; Jeremiah 10:23. Naaman listened to wise counsel and was healed. Naaman wanted to reward Elijah: 2 Kings 5:15-16. Elijah wanted Naaman to know that God’s blessings cannot be bought or sold! Abraham also went through a similar situation in the rescue of his nephew Lot: Genesis 14:21-24. God’s servants never take pay for sharing God’s blessings with unbelievers!
I. BUT GEHAZI!
There is always someone out of touch with the Lord and His ways, who is eager to pursue their own agenda: 2 Kings 5:19-27. Gehazi call Elijah his master. But in his heart, was Elijah really his master? No Gehazi thought Elijah was an old fool for not taking a gift from Naaman! Gehazi call God his LORD. But was God really Gehazi’s LORD? No! Gehazi was directing his own life. Gehazi lied to get what he wanted not only to Naaman, but to his master Elijah.
II. GEHAZI’S EXAMPLE!
Gehazi is an example to all who would put material gain before their Lord Jesus Christ as their Master. The cost to Gehazi of his decision was extreme to both himself and to his family for generations to come! 2 Kings 5:27. We can chose to learn from Gehazi’s sin which is the easy way to learn, or we can chose to learn the hard way by making his way of life our way of life: 1 Corinthians 10:11-15.
III. THE COST TO GEHAZI OF HIS IDOLATRY (LOVING MONEY)!
Gehazi’s love for money and material things cost Gehazi his honor. Gehazi became a known liar. Gehazi’s duplicity destroyed both him and his family: Proverbs 11:3. Today both Christians and their pastors sadly still put money and things above their love to God and other people: 1 Timothy 6:1-10. Gehazi’s sin cost him his health and his family. Lepers were separated from community life. Sadly, today the American dream of more and more money and possessions is destroying families: Psalm 127:1. Gehazi’s sin cost his ministry and service not only to Elijah but also to God. In our day of easy credit, men are becoming so indebted to man that they have no time or resources left to serve the Lord: Matthew 6:24. Gehazi’s sin cost him his happiness! Gehazi believed the lie that when the game is over, the one with the most toys wins! Our Lord Jesus said exactly the opposite is true: Luke 12:15. Solomon is a prime example here. He had everything money could buy including 700 wives and 300 concubines, along with tons of gold and silver and he was miserable: Ecclesiastes 2:10-11. Gehazi’s lust for things may have costs him his soul! Matthew 16:26. All of those things that many have chased after with all their heart will wind up in the trash heap sooner or later.
IV. HOW CAN WE GUARD OUR HEARTS AGAINST THE GREED OF THIS WORLD?
Realize that we are stewards not owners of what we are entrusted with: 1 Corinthians 4:7. We need to be thankful and content with what our Lord puts into our hands. We need to generously give to the work of God in our life-time: Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. We need tolearn how to distinguish between our needs and our wants: 1 Timothy 6:6-10. We need to learn to spend less than we make: Ephesians 4:28; Luke 12:15. Remember that the love of money leads us to evil: 1 Timothy 6:10-12.