DCLM Daily Manna 29 July 2024 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — “Naaman’s Leprosy, Gehazi’s Heritage”
TOPIC: “Naaman’s Leprosy, Gehazi’s Heritage” (DCLM Daily Manna 29 July 2024)
KEY VERSE: “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” (2 Kings 5:27).
TEXT: 2 Kings 5:17-27 (KJV)
17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the Lord.
18 In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing.
19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
20 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.
21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
26 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?
27 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.
MESSAGE:
In the words of Alexander Maclaren, Gehazi’s bargain was not a clear gain after all. He lost everything he thought he had gained; and even much more. Most people, like Achan and Haman, do not realise that they lose much more than what they hope to gain through greed.
The pathetic story of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who, rather than inherit the anointing of his master, inherited the leprosy of Naaman, warns us against greed and deception. Elisha was a man who stood before God, and in the illumination of divine presence, the glitter of what Naaman offered held no attraction for him. In contrast, Gehazi was still in darkness despite his long association with Elisha. The little spark of Naaman’s largesse became an irresistible floodlight of ill-gotten riches for him. He decided to get something out of a miracle God gave freely to a needy soul. But Gehazi got more than he bargained. He had only thought of getting material things from Naaman; unfortunately, he got his leprosy and a lifetime of shame and degradation for his family.
The best way to overcome greed is to spend time in God’s presence so that He will enable us to measure the objects that tempt us with eternity in view. The things of this world lose their value and grip upon our souls when measured on the scales of eternity. Additionally, believers should be more interested in the salvation and preservation of souls in God’s Kingdom rather than material gain. People who exploit the gospel ministry for personal enrichment are kindred with Gehazi.
By all means, let us avoid greed and deception – a Siamese twin of evil that destroys the soul and block access to spending eternity with God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Faith attracts divine blessings; greed begets a curse.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ephesians 1-3
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
