Choose Grace, not Greed
A look through the New Testament quickly reveals the dangers of greed. In its pages we are taught that a greedy person will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:10, Eph 5:5). Christians are warned not to allow greedy people to assume roles of leadership in the church (1 Tim 3:8) and to not associate with greedy people (1 Cor 5:11). Paul goes as far as to instruct Christians not to even discuss greed amongst one another (Eph 5:3).
2 Kings, Chapter 5 is a perfect illustration of how greed can damage a person.
1 Naaman, commander of the army for the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded because through him, the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man was a brave warrior, but he had a skin disease. 2 Aram had gone on raids and brought back from the land of Israel a young girl who served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his skin disease.” 4 So Naaman went and told his master what the girl from the land of Israel had said. 5 Therefore, the king of Aram said, “Go and I will send a letter [with you] to the king of Israel.” So he went and took with him 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and 10 changes of clothes. 6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, and it read: When this letter comes to you, note that I have sent you my servant Naaman for you to cure him of his skin disease. 7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life that this man expects me to cure a man of his skin disease? Think it over and you will see that he is only picking a fight with me.” 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel tore his clothes, he sent [a message] to the king, “Why have you torn your clothes? Have him come to me, and he will know there is a prophet in Israel.”
It may seem odd to some that Naaman, who was an enemy of the Israelites, had been given many victories by the LORD (verse 1). More than likely, Naaman’s victories had been over the army of the Assyrians who were the dominate threat at the time.
Naaman suffered from a serious skin disease known as leprosy. In the pages of Scripture, leprosy is parallel with the concept of being unclean, or “unfit” for a relationship with God.
Consider if you will the unclean heart of the unrepentant sinner. Christ taught that it isn’t the outward behavior of a person that makes them unclean; but rather the condition of their heart. It is evident from this passage that Naaman is unclean both on the outside and inside. He does not have a relationship with the living God yet he travels to Israel on the promise of being made wholly clean. He travels with large sums of money to make sure he gets what he desires.
Notice how the king of Israel throws up his hands at Naaman’s request. The most powerful man in all of Israel is unable to make Naaman clean. Only God (in this case through the prophet Elisha) has the power to cleanse the unclean (Verses 7 & 8).
9 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go wash seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean.” 11 But Naaman got angry and left, saying, “I was telling myself: He will surely come out, stand and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and will wave his hand over the spot and cure the skin disease. 12 Aren’t Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and left in a rage. 13 But his servants approached and said to him, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more [should you do it] when he tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?”
Notice how Elisha instructs Naaman to wash in the Jordan River (The same river Christ Himself was baptized in) seven times. Scholars seem to agree that these instructions were intended in part to test Naaman’s obedience. Would he be willing to do what was instructed of him by God? Because of his pride, Naaman bulks at first. Certainly the rivers of his homeland were cleaner than the Jordan (verse 12). The same man who had brought large sums of money to “buy” his cleanliness was too prideful to follow Elisha’s instructions. Only his servants were able to convince him otherwise.
Questions:
- To what extent does pride interfere with the unbeliever accepting the salvation and cleanliness available in Christ?
- In what ways does God want us to be obedient in our walk with Christ?
14 So Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, according to the command of the man of God. Then his skin was restored [and became] like the skin of a small boy, and he was clean. 15 Then Naaman and his whole company went back to the man of God, stood before him, and declared, “I know there’s no God in the whole world except in Israel. Therefore, please accept a gift from your servant.” 16 But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, I stand before Him. I will not accept it.” Naaman urged him to accept it, but he refused.
Naaman was persistent in offering Elisha a gift for his healing; thus, the prophet faced a choice. He could take the gift and send Naaman on his way, or he could refuse it. Elisha was adamant in his refusal, “As the LORD lives, I stand before Him. I will not accept it.”
Questions:
- How would Naaman have been affected had Elisha taken the payment? Would it have changed the state of his heart to have gone away feeling as if he had bought his cleanliness?
- Elisha could have taken advantage of Naaman’s appreciation. How have you seen church leaders take advantage of believers?
- How can Christians model Elisha’s example in today’s culture?
20 Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha the man of God, thought: My master has let this Aramean Naaman off lightly by not accepting from him what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him. 21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” 22 Gehazi said, “It’s all right. My master has sent me to say, ‘I have just now discovered that two young men from the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them 75 pounds [of silver and two changes of clothes. ' "
In light of Elisha’s graciousness, Gehazi’s greed is especially deplorable. Here’s a guy who had nothing to do with Naaman’s healing and yet sought gain in the event. He was able to justify his greed because he felt Elisha had made a mistake by not accepting Naaman’s gift. This passage presents the reader with a choice: follow Elisha’s example … or Gehazi’s.
Questions:
- You may not consider yourself a greedy person, but can you identify a time in your life when you acted in a selfish manner?
- In what ways have you justified selfish behavior?
- In what practical ways can we follow Elisha’s example and not Gehazi’s?
24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts from them and stored them in the house. Then he dismissed the men, and they left. 25 Gehazi came and stood by his master. "Where did you go, Gehazi?" Elisha asked him. "Your servant didn't go anywhere," he replied. 26 But Elisha questioned him, "Wasn't my spirit there when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to accept money and clothes, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves? 27 Therefore, Naaman's skin disease will cling to you and your descendants forever." So Gehazi went out from his presence diseased—[white] as snow.
Notice how Gehazi was unable to hide his greed despite his best efforts. In the same way, we are unable to hide our sins from God. Gehazi’s punishment was the same disease Naaman has been cured from – leprosy. He had been made unclean on the outside just like the condition of his heart was unclean on the inside. The irony of Naaman, a foreigner and enemy of the Israel, being made clean while Gehazi, a Hebrew, was revealed to be unclean is representative of one of the Bible’s major themes. God’s plan from the beginning was to offer salvation to everyone through the Hebrew people. It doesn’t matter who we are, if we are able to humble ourselves and accept the salvation available in Christ’s act on the cross, we will be made clean.
Questions:
- How have you seen greed poison the lives of those around you?
- What are the ramifications of leading your life in a greedy way today?
- How can we reverse our selfish tendencies and display grace to everyone that we encounter?
Conclusion
Examine yourself and ask God to reveal to you those areas of your life where you are the most selfish. Ask Him to help you to replace greed with grace as the motive for all your actions.
Sources
Explore the Bible Quicksource Guide Winter 2010-11. Lifeway.
Quest Study Bible (NIV)
E-Swords Bible Software
----> Clark Goble is a disciple of Christ, a husband, father, student, and writer. He welcomes your comments and encourages you to leave one here or email him at cdgobleATgmail.com.
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Title: The Pursuit of God
Writer Clark D. Goble started this blog as a means to chronicle his imperfect walk with a Perfect Savior and invites you to join in on the conversation. He also invites you to check out the links to his work. Most often, Clark writes about Jesus and theology. He also enjoys writing fiction in a variety of genres.
Todd French is an information technology professional and a resident of Columbus, Ohio; where he shares a humble abode with his darling wife and beautiful daughters. His interests run the gambit from reading voraciously all forms of fiction to rooting for the Cleveland Browns.