Daily Manna 22 May
KEY VERSE: “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.” – (2 Kings 5:20)
READ: 2 Kings 5:20-27 (KJV)
20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”
21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?”
22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.’ ”
23 So Naaman said, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants; and they carried them on ahead of him.
24 When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed.
25 Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.”
26 Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?
27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
In a juvenile magazine, a story was once told to illustrate how covetousness and greed can ruin someone’s life and how it is impossible to continue to hide and cover up one’s sin for long. The story was about a snake named “Sally”, which always sneaked into a farmer’s farm to steal eggs from his pen every night.
When the farmer came to his farm each morning, he always noticed that some of his eggs were missing but his pen showed no sign of someone breaking into it. Guessing that the culprit must be a snake which always sneaked in through a tiny hole in the pen, he decided to leave some boiled eggs in the pen.
As usual, the snake sneaked in and helped itself. But while trying to sneak away through the tiny hole, it got stuck because of the boiled eggs in its stomach which would not break. It remained there till the farmer came and killed it. No matter how long one tries to hide his sins, he would be found out one day!
Gehazi must have considered his master, Elisha, foolish for refusing the gifts that Naaman brought for healing him of his leprosy. Determinedly, he ran after Naaman, lied to him that Elisha had a second thought about the gifts and had requested to be given some to give as a present to some young men who had come to visit him. Elisha exposed him and revealed how he planned to invest the booties. He was then cursed with leprosy.
Covetousness has ruined so many lives. Many have had their chances of greatness dashed due to eagerness to make fast gains. They falsify accounts and change prices of goods.
But as believers, we should understand that godly contentment remains the antidote to covetousness and greed.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Be content with what you have to avoid the regrets of covetousness.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 3-5
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna –The Cost of Greed – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 22 May 2021
