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The example of Elisha
2 Kings 5
"Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant." 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 5:15-16)
Naaman was a highly respected soldier who had leprosy. When he heard that there was a prophet in Israel who could cure leprosy, he went with the authority of the king and a significant sum of money to be healed. Eventually he found his way to Elisha, who told him to wash himself in the Jordan river seven times. At first reluctant because of the muddy condition of this river, he eventually agreed.
Elisha called upon God to heal Naaman of leprosy. Naaman washed himself as he had been told, and was healed. Overcome with gratitude, he went to Elisha and offered him money, as an offering. But Elisha realized the danger of accepting such a gift. He knew that it would appear as if Naaman had bought his health from Elisha instead of receiving it as a gift from God. He did not accept any payment, even after much pleading.
It was common for prophets to receive offerings, so this refusal greatly troubled Elisha's servant Gehazi. Gehazi did not grasp the principle that kept Elisha from accepting money from Naaman. Like many Christians today, his lack of principles caused him to give in to feelings of greed. He justified the money in his own mind. It ate away until he actually went after Naaman and lied to receive some of the funds himself. Struck down with leprosy for his sin, Gehazi's lack of principles cost him his own future.
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