November 5 True Value

2 Kings 5:19-27 He said to him, "Go in peace." But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him." 21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, "Is all well?" 22 And he said, "All is well. My master has sent me to say, 'There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two festal garments.'" 23 And Naaman said, "Be pleased to accept two talents." And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two festal garments, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 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." 26 But he said to him, "Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever." So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.

THE 11th Miracle God works through Elisha is a sad judgment on a servant's sin. What can you do but weep over Gehazi's greed? Perhaps, too, you are saddened that Elisha has lost a trusted servant. Possibly you feel Elisha's torment as a loved one has betrayed him.

          One lesson to consider here is the truth of the Apostle Peter's words in 1 Peter 5:8-9(a) "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9  Resist him, firm in your faith." 

          The adversary Satan is always after you in some way. Be restrained from seeking after worldly wealth at the cost of your eternal relationship to your Lord God. Be mindful of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Be diligent to repent of temptations. Be urgent to call on the Holy Spirit to protect you in all matters.

          May the Lord find joy in your steadfast faith as you celebrate and savor his eternal kingdom riches.

Prayer: Lord God, you are worth far more than silver or gold. I rejoice that you have given me the treasures of the Kingdom of God. May the Holy Spirit empower me to use those treasures to your glory. In Christ I pray, amen.