The Avarice Of The Leper

Apostle Grace Lubega

2 Kings 5:20, 25-27 (KJV), “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him… And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.”

In our theme scripture, Naaman, the Syrian had just been healed of leprosy by Elisha the prophet, and departed from the presence of Elisha.

However, Gehazi the servant of Elisha, secretly followed Naaman, the captain of the host of Syria that he might receive the money and gifts that his master, Elisha had refused to accept from Naaman.

Gehazi, having been servant to Elisha, was a witness of the transfer of power from Elijah the prophet unto Elisha by reason of Elisha’s ministry and service to Elijah. All that Gehazi had to do was to serve Elisha faithfully to walk in this grace also.

But Gehazi’s heart was overtaken with the love of material things and of money over the love of God. His heart sought a place of self-gain above service to the God who teaches us to profit. His heart was consumed by the love of this world. And consequently, after his master questioned him of his whereabouts, he lied and was judged to bear Naaman’s leprosy.

When I speak about the cleansing of men from leprosy, we must establish the truth that THE GOSPEL IS NOT COMMITTED TO ONE FOR ONE’S OWN PROFIT.

There are people who consider the work of the ministry to be a place to seek for material gain from the people whom they ought to be ministering to.

That kind of spirit preys on the material possessions of their own flock rather than ministering Christ to them that would probably need healing or some kind of answer.

It asks for what it doesn’t provide for by the faithful obedience to the principles of divine providence and multiplication. This is a kind of leprosy too!

In Matthew 10:9-10 MSG, Jesus said, “Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.” Glory, hallelujah!

Child of God, The Lord is your exceeding great reward in Jesus’ name! (Genesis 15:1).

Look to God Almighty. God who called you by name and anointed you shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).

You are the true equipment you need to minister Christ in every place. Practice the divine principles of increase and let God take care of the details. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Timothy 6:10, Luke 16:13.

GOLDEN NUGGET:
The Gospel was not committed to us for personal gain. Look to God Almighty. You are the true equipment you need to minister Christ in every place. Practice the divine principles of increase and let God take care of the details.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the preservation of wisdom. I thank you because this word works in my life and preserves me. It preserves my ministry. It preserves my career. It preserves my children. It preserves my marriage. It preserves every labour of my hands. I thank you because you are my exceeding great reward. I am greater than this world, and all that is in it. I thank you that even though I am richly blessed, I live free from the love of money because I am it’s master, and it my servant. My heart is filled with your love shed abroad by the Holy Ghost. As a faithful steward I have grace to be diligent in financial principles. In the name of Jesus. Amen!