The Blessings of God are not for Sale

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2 Kings 5:16 “But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.”

We can read in 2 Kings 5 that Naaman offered Elisha “ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment” because he was healed from his leprosy. This is actually a lot of offering (1 talent is equivalent to 32 kgs.) But we have read in the verse above that Elisha is adamant “I will receive none!” even if Naaman insisted.

But even though Elisha knew that he shouldn’t be rewarded for the miracle that God had done to Naaman, his servant Gehazi on the other hand, had other ideas! Gehazi accepts Naaman’s offer of two talents of silver (approx 68 Kg!) and two sets of clothing. While, as the New Testament says “the labourer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:17-18), what we see with some ministers in this age taking money and gifts way above and beyond the norm and encouraging believers to give more is just plain sin! Look at what Elisha said to his servant Gehazi: “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, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever. Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and he was leprous, as white as snow.”

Today, some so-called “ministers” in the Church have even changed the gospel to include their own greed and lust for wealth and worldliness. If we are only reading our Bible, we can see that true servants of God were tasked to feed the flock and for people to repent from their sins. Not to encourage them to become financially rich in this world! So be careful what you set your desire on. If you continually crave for things other than God, then He may just grant you your desire… but it will be to the detriment of the spiritual health of your soul. Ponder on these brief words from Psalm 106:14-15:

“They lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”