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Lessons For
The 21st Century From OT Saints And Sinners
The Helper Who Got Greedy
2 Kings 5:15-27
Introduction: The Inner Circle
Because
this is an election year, imagine being in the inner circle
of the President of the United States. What would it be like
to have your candidate elected? What would it then be like
to be part of the meetings in the Oval Office? I think the
feeling of power would be electrifying. At night, though,
as you are falling asleep one always obvious fact presses
forward in your thoughts: I have no real power of my own.
It all rests in the one I serve.
What
would happen if another member of that inner circle became
tired of serving and wanted more? What if that person didn’t
want to be number two any longer? What if that person wanted
the glory that only number one enjoys? (It sounds a bit like
the Green Bay Packers’ training camp) Then, as in today’s
study, we would see the results of the subtle invasion of
a monster called greed.
An Analysis of Greed
Greed
does invade our lives subtly. It begins in a discontented
heart, worming its way into the mind to affect how we think,
and growing until we feel compelled to act. To understand
how greed operates, let’s begin by defining its meaning.
Meaning Of The Term
At
its core, greed is covetousness. It is an inordinate desire
to acquire more and more. Greed is also the desire to have
what you want now—by whatever means is necessary to have it.
Greed always thinks in excessive terms and always hurries
to grab for more.
Manners Of Expression
The
desire for more usually shows up in four main areas of life.
People
Are Greedy For Money
They
will sacrifice family, friends and health to have a bigger
salary or to turn a higher profit. This longing for a bulging
bank account leads to the second area.
People
Are Greedy For Things
Money
buys toys—whether they are toys desired by men or by women.
Money opens up all kinds of access to have the newest and
latest toys. The old bumper sticker proclaimed that the one
with the most toys wins. It just never told us what we won.
People
Are Greedy For Fame
Some
people want to be known, quoted, popular and influential.
Can you imagine what it’s like to have people ask for your
autograph?
People
Are Greedy For Pleasure
Some
people pursue the next great feeling. It can involve any sensual
pleasure. The problem with fulfilling these desires is they
fail to satisfy. They result in more emptiness and a strong
desire to satisfy the now increased hunger.
Some
people have fought these greedy temptations for years. They
understand the dangers. Others see no such monsters in their
hearts. If you find yourself more like the second group, I
have one word of advice for you: Beware!
Another even more dangerous gremlin may be lurking in the
shadows of your heart—secret
greed.
Our
account today exposes this kind of greed. It occurs immediately
after last week’s account of the cleansing of Naaman.
An Account of Greed
Historical Background
For
those who weren’t here last week, the remarkable story unfolds
as Naaman, a victim of leprosy, travels from Syria to Israel
to seek healing from Elisha. The prophet of God leaves Naaman
standing at his door, sending a curious message through his
servant to dip seven times in the Jordan River. At first,
Naaman storms away angry, but finally, at the behest of his
servants, reluctantly does as instructed and emerges from
the river healed. Not only was his skin cleansed, but so was
his heart. Upon returning from the river he says to Elisha,
Now
I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.
Please accept now a gift from your servant.
2 Kings 5:15b NIV
The
pre-Jordan Naaman was arrogant and smug. The cleansed Naaman
is humble, grateful, and generous. The present he offers to
Elisha is worthy of a king: 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds
of gold and ten fine suits of clothing (2 Kings 5:5). But,
just as Naaman stands before Elisha as a humble-servant, Elisha
stands before the Lord. With a clear conscience and the conviction
of his values, Elisha politely declines the gift.
The
prophet answered, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom
I serve, I will not accept a thing." And even though
Naaman urged him, he refused.
2 Kings 5:16 NIV
In
spite of Naaman’s insistence and the splendor of the treasures
in front of him, Elisha remains firm in his resolve. To accept
the gifts would compromise his calling and strike a telling
black mark on his reputation. Instead of accepting Naaman’s
presents, Elisha instead gives Naaman a blessing that will
help Naaman serve God is his own country.
"If
you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your
servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry,
for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and
sacrifices to any other god but the LORD. But may the LORD
forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters
the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm
and I bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon,
may the LORD forgive your servant for this."
"Go
in peace," Elisha said.
2 Kings
5:17-19a NIV
Naaman
knew the struggle he faced in order to serve God. He wanted
soil from Israel so he could kneel on that ground when he
worshipped God. Naaman also faced the struggle of living out
his new faith in the midst of the pagan worship of his nation.
Elisha doesn’t lecture Naaman about how to deal with his conflict
of conscience. Rather, he blesses him with the grace of God’s
peace so Naaman can follow through with his official duties
in that pagan environment.
Standing
and watching all of this is Elisha’s servant, Gehazi. He is
the number-two man in the operation. He is Elisha’s supporter
and helper. He has always enjoyed some of Elisha’s reflected
glory, but we discover he harbors a secret desire to grab
some of the glory—and some of the riches—for himself.
Mental “Reasoning”
When
Gehazi hears Naaman offer Elisha a small Fort Knox fortune,
he thinks, “Here is our chance, boss. We’re rich. We can buy
that place on the Mediterranean coast.” While he is calculating
and already spending part of the fortune, he watches Naaman’s
camels heading north back to Syria—still loaded with all of
the treasure. This can’t be allowed to happen. As it keeps
eating at him, he formulates a plan.
After
Naaman had traveled some distance, 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."
2 Kings 5:19b-20 NIV
The
greed gremlin in his soul begins to feed him rationalized
reasons.
·
Naaman
just wanted to say thanks. It’s discourteous to refuse him
the opportunity.
·
He
insisted we take it. Why do we have to be so noble?
·
He
has millions; this is just pocket change.
·
God
provides in some amazing ways. In my wildest dreams I never
imagined God would provide for our needs through a Syrian.
It’s just so like God to work like this!
·
It’s
one thing for Elisha to perform a miracle and have God provide
for him. Doesn’t Elisha care that I have nothing?
·
I’ve
scrubbed Elisha’s floors for a long time—too long if you ask
me. I need the money. Hey, I deserve the money!
·
What’s
it going to hurt? Naaman wanted to give the gift anyway. It’s
no big deal.
We
don’t know just what rationalizations ran through Gehazi’s
mind. He was convinced Elisha had let Naaman off too easily.
His rationalizations sound convincing. What’s wrong with them?
1.
The
gift was offered to Elisha, not Gehazi. He knew his master’s
convictions about the money, but he still chooses to run after
Naaman.
2.
His
rationalizations are behind-the-back-while-no-one-is-looking
greed. It’s a secret plan he formulates.
3.
He
doesn’t discuss his plan with Elisha as he must have always
done before. He intends to cash in the reward his master earned.
Volitional Acts
The
first step in the process occurred as “Gehazi…said to himself.”
The next step comes as he now hurries after Naaman.
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.
2
Kings 5:21 NIV
First, he thought and now he acts.
We
watch it happen almost in slow motion. We want to warn Naaman.
All is not well; Elisha hasn’t sent anyone. There are no needy
prophets, only a greedy servant. The downward spiral of sinful
greed accelerates as he lies
to Naaman.
"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.' "
2Kings 5:22 NIV
He
exploits his spiritual role to pull the wool over Naaman’s eyes. He knew Naaman
would trust whatever he said. After all, he was the one who
had told Naaman to go wash in the Jordan River seven times
and he would then be healed.
So,
we aren’t surprised that Naaman believes Gehazi. In his zeal
to please the Lord, Naaman insists on giving more.
"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.
2 Kings 5:23 NIV
With
150 pounds of silver—twice what he had asked of Gehazi—as
well as the clothing, he is escorted home like royalty. He
has to be thinking by now that his plot is actually going
to work. Arriving at the hill by his house, Gehazi dismisses
Naaman’s servants and commits his next willful act of greed
as he hides the treasure
in his house. His intends to deceive everyone.
Finally,
he returns to Elisha to resume his servant duties. It has
gone much more smoothly than he could have hoped. Like a movie
con man he could say, “I just love it when a plan comes together.”
He is so wrong!
Then
he went in and stood before his master Elisha. "Where
have you been, Gehazi?" Elisha asked. 2 Kings 5:25a NIV
The
prophet peers into his soul. He asks what seems to be a natural
question, but it’s a chance for Gehazi to come clean.
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.
2 Kings 5:25 NIV
Consumed
by his rationalizations and convinced he is right, Gehazi
commits his final sinful act of greed—he denies the truth to the person who trusts
him the most.
How
can he lie so blatantly? Write this down somewhere so God
can inscribe it on your heart: Once people lie to themselves, they can
lie to anyone.
·
That’s
how a high-level executive can go to church and then extort
money and give a believable accounting to the CEO by doctoring
the books.
·
That’s
how a politician can crusade against corruption while accepting
bribes.
·
That’s
how some trusted religious leaders can preach on Sunday and
practice all kinds of lewd behavior during the week.
Rationalizations
are very effective in legitimizing secret desires of greed
that grant approval to unspeakable evil.
Personal Consequences
Naaman
may have been fooled in his desire to please God. Elisha isn’t.
He penetrates Gehazi’s deception with some pointed but still
compassionate questions.
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 to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards,
flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? 2 Kings 5:26 NIV
There
was one factor Gehazi overlooked as his greed pushed him to
act. He forget that Elisha was a prophet—a seer—blessed with
the ability to see what was taking place even though he wasn’t
actually there. Elisha saw every move that Gehazi had made.
He knew what had happened and saw the intentions of Gehazi’s
heart to purchase land and animals and servants with his secret
stash.
Ooops!
With
the last chance at mercy passed by, Elisha pronounces a terrible
judgment on this greedy servant. It is a judgment filled with
irony.
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 5:27 NIV
The
leprous pagan who came in faith experienced forgiveness and
healing. The trusted servant of the Lord who succumbed to
faithless greed was struck by leprosy. Worst of all, not only
was Gehazi judged, but his descendents as well.
An Admission of Greed
The
severe discipline issued to the greedy helper in this account
sets us back in our chairs—or at least it should—because we
know our own hearts. We, too, have cultivated secret greed
from time to time. God wants to teach us several lessons through
Gehazi that will guard our hearts and influence our actions.
Lesson One: Imagination Allows Greed To
Grow
The
creative mind of Gehazi dreamed of wealth and power. That
dream soon turned into a nightmare. In the same way, our imaginations
left unchecked may also spin fantasies of fame and fortune.
We must, instead, remember to focus on what is godly and appropriate
in order to stop the insatiable hunger pangs of greed early.
The Apostle Paul offers some great advice.
Instead,
clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil
desires. Romans
13:14 NLT
Harnessing
your imagination is a great preventative.
Lesson Two: Rationalization Encourages
Greed To Surface
The
road from imagination to rationalization is a very short one.
Imaginations quickly turn into rationalizations that become
very convincing reasons to believe what isn’t true. Rationalizations
tell us that stealing is all right and lying is okay as long
as some greater purpose is being served. The end justifies
the means. That kind of thinking convinces people to leave
their families or encourages an employee to take advantage
of others in order to advance. Under the guise of rationalization
greed will surface.
Lesson Three: Deception Gives Greed The
Courage To Persist
In
order for greedy behavior to continue, it requires secrecy.
Therefore, we lie to ourselves which enables us to lie to
others—even those who are closest to us and trust us. Once
we have convinced ourselves, we believe other people should
be equally convinced that the wrong course we have set our
hearts to pursue is actually the right one.
Lesson Four: Confession Brings Greed To
A Necessary And Abrupt Halt
When
it comes to covering our tracks with lying and deception we
need to realize that no amount of lying can cover up the truth
forever. No matter how much spiritual make-up we apply, greed
is still ugly. It always has been and always will be. Confession
is the only remedy. Admitting our sin of greed means we must
face our true natures—with all of our sin. There is good news
at the end of this road. When we confess, we find the power
of Christ to stop greed in its tracks and to allow us to live
with a clear conscience.
Conclusion: Bring It To The Cross
Gehazi’s
skin became a visible, lifelong reminder of his secret greed.
For those who are like Gehazi, who feel the disillusionment
of never quite having achieved their dreams, the temptation
to grab for unearned glory and privilege can be especially
overwhelming. Take out the mirror of God’s Word and examine
your motives. If secret greed stalks silently in your heart,
admit it by bringing that monster to the Lord. The One who
crushed greed at the Cross can conquer it in your heart as
well.
Closing Thought: Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring
of life. (NIV)
Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the
course of your life. (NLT)
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