Standing on the Shoulders of Giants by Steven Brooks Read Free Book Online

his love of money. Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with money. It is the love of money that the Word of God tells us is the root of all evil. In the Book of Second Kings, chapter 5 , we are given the account of how the Aramean army commander Naaman was healed of leprosy through the ministry of Elisha. Naaman was so thankful for his healing that he wanted to give a financial blessing to Elisha, but Elisha refused to receive it because it was not the right thing to do in this particular case. This was because Naaman’s superior officer had originally contacted the Kingof Israel to request help for Naaman. The King of Israel was filled with fear when he received the letter, because he misunderstood the letter as not being sincere and he thought the Arameans were trying to somehow start a war (see Kings 5:1-7). It was at this time that Elisha was informed of the situation so he stepped in quickly and took charge before things got out of hand.
    So it was, when Elisha the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel”
(2 Kings 5:8).
    Knowing the full story helps us better understand why Elisha never took the offering that Naaman presented. If there was an offering to be given, it would only be proper for it to be presented to the king of Israel because it was in the king’s hands that the original request had been placed. Elisha did, however, receive two mules loaded with supplies from Naaman as compensation for his time, but he did not touch the king’s reward which was offered to him, which was ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of fine clothing. By doing this, Elisha passed one of the most important tests that a person could ever face—the money test. Unfortunately, Elisha’s servant Gehazi did not fare so well under this same temptation.
    Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives
, I will run after him and get something from him.
So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. “Is everything all right?” he asked. “Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered
.
    “My master sent me to say, “Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.” “By all means, take two talents,” said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left. Then he went in and stood before his master Elisha
.
    “Where have you been, Gehazi?” Elisha asked
.
    “Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered
.
    But Elisha said to him, “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 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
(2 Kings 5:20-27 NIV).
    It’s interesting to see that Gehazi said, “I will run after him, and get something from him.” Whenever a person runs after money he or she is in for trouble. Gehazi should have run after God, faithfully served Elisha, and in due time the blessing of theLord would have come. Gehazi failed to understand that the anointing of the Holy Spirit actually attracts wealth. Today, God still wants His people to prosper