Unholy in the Midst of HolinessSample

Gehazi was not spiritually inclined

It’s hard, at least from our perspective today, to understand why characters in the Bible did what they did at times, especially in the face of so many miraculous events. The incredible healing of Naaman happened right before Gehazi. He saw not only the power of God, but the actions of his master who refused to take any money from the captain. One would think that would have been more than enough to humble him before God and man, but apparently it didn’t. 

"Gehazi, 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”. 2 Kings 5:20 NIV

It is strange that Gehazi swears to himself by the living God and then goes off to deceive.

He was not about to let some money and rich clothing from Damascus get away from him.

God warns us about the dangers of money and wealth throughout the Bible. Notice that the love of money, not money itself, is “a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Do you think and talk about money all the time? Is God rarely a part of your conversation?

It is almost sacrilegious to see Gehazi when he decided to go after Naaman. By this, he demonstrated that he had no clarity or care as to what true righteousness was by swearing or bringing the Lord into his lies and deception.

When he returns, he is confronted by Elisha. Gehazi thought the Prophet would not know what he was up to!

"When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked 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" 2 Kings 5:25-26

Gehazi thought the living God did not see him. What a powerful testimony to the power of our own corrupt hearts to deceive us!

The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 NASB, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

We have to be really careful about the state and condition of our hearts. In the parable of the sower, Jesus is talking of the soil of our heart: its condition, and the things that are sown there. There were stones, weeds, all sorts, but it was the good soil that produced an abundance of fruit.

Is your heart spiritually inclined for the things of God or for the things of this world? Your heart will be revealed by your actions. You may fool some people some of the time with your religious jargon, but you can never fool God at any time.

Quote:  If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life. - Billy Graham

Prayer: Lord, help me to examine my heart and check whom I am serving – You or money. Amen