Wisdom's Corner
He Traded Too Much

In 2 Kings 5 we read about Naaman and his leprosy. Naaman hears from a little Israelite slave girl that a prophet in Israel can cure him. He goes to Israel and is cured by Elisha. He wants to pay Elisha but Elisha refuses to take payment.

Naaman is on his way home when the servant of Elisha runs after him. This servant, Gehazi, had decided that he would lie to Naaman and tell him that Elisha had changed his mind. He tells Naaman that Elisha does indeed want the money and the garments that Naaman had offered. According to Gehazi, Elisha had visitors that he was going to give the items to.

Naaman was more than happy to give the things to Gehazi. In fact, he gave even more. Gehazi took the things and hid them. Elisha asks Gehazi where he had been. Gehazi lies to Elisha and says he had gone nowhere. But Elisha knew about the evil plan. Elisha tells Gehazi that Naaman's leprosy would now be on Gehazi. As far as we know, Gehazi was never healed of his leprosy.

Gehazi wanted material possessions. And he got them. But think about what he traded to get them. He traded his honesty, his honor, and his health. Most of all he traded his trust in God.

Do not be like Gehazi. Do not let material possessions become more important than doing what is right. Keep yourself pure in the eyes of God. Continue to study his word. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 2002

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)