The Cost Of Disobedience 01/05/2024
Daily Devotions: by Christina Farris2 Kings 5:15-27 KJV
15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
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.
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.Gehazi wanted money and new clothes. When hearing Elisha refusing this stranger who had been healed money, he waited and watched. He ran after Naaman's chariot and lied to him that two strangers came in need of money and two outfits. Naaman happy to give because of his healing. What one might think is Gehazi looking after his master at first but in reality he is disobedience to God. Elisha had said no to offering because of his obedience to the Spirit of God in his life. When Gehazi returned the items had been taken to Elisha. Instead he took them to his house. Elisha asked him where he been and he said nowhere. Then Elisha began to speak by God's Spirit what he had done but with question of what was the cure worth. Then the main question what was the cost of disobedience? Gehazi would be cursed with leprosy. That was the cost of Gehazi disobedience to taking/extracting a wage.
We want to rejuvenate we can not second guess God. Gehazi didnt want rejoice in the healing of Naaman, he wanted money. Dont think that a true minister of God is not going to rejoice when exfoliation happens. Why because his job is to help people to get closer in faith in God. If a person is striving to be closer to his God, then whole family of God should be rejoicing and expecting nothing back because they gained a believer. To work for God one must learn to obey and exfoliate two lessons taught in one baptism of Naaman.
Dear Heavenly Father help us to learn obedience to your Spirit and to exfoliate. In Jesus precious name, Amen. Continual Scripture Study: 1 Timothy 6:7-14 KJV
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: http://www.turtle30cshell.com
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