Primary 78 - Elisha and Naaman

How much do we give to the Lord? Do we not know it will be increased if we give up everything he asks? Sometimes we think the Lord asks too much. For Elijah (and Elisha for that matter), he asked the last meal of a woman and her son. She gave the prophet everything. Sometimes the Lord asks a lot. Maybe it's tithing, commitment, or sacrifice.

Both prophets saw incredible miracles. The bounty and mercy of God showed over and over. The blessings became great for those that followed the prophets and listened to their words and read the scriptures. 

Sometime later, Elisha encountered a charitable woman who asked for nothing but gave to the prophet. She gave him a room, food, water, and peace. The prophet wanted to give to her something but she kept saying she had enough. A servant of hers said she had no children but always wanted motherhood. The Lord heard her prayers because she was so humble. When we are humble, we mean humble, the Lord gives us blessing when we take time out for Him, prayer, repentance, scripture study, and His servants.

Here is another story about the prophet Elisha. Naaman was a Syrian soldier who had a disease that affected his life. He had everything; money, a family, a house, servants, and a great job, but alas he also had leprosy. In his search, a servant girl mentioned the prophet and how he could heal him. Further searching for a cure, in meeting the servant of the prophet (you see the prophet didn't meet him but was instructed via a servant) he was given a simple request for a blessing of the Lord. At first, he was mad and stormed off because it was so simple. The soldier's servant pointed out that he would if been quick to obey if it was hard so why not simple.  So he gave everything and realized the simplicity of the gospel and washed seven times (the number of completeness). After the miracle, he offered wealth to the prophet who took nothing. Said the prophet, everything from his is a gift. Alas not everyone had the same mindset. The servant of the Prophet was a fool and took the things of men over the things of God by deceiving Naaman and Elisha. The punishment is that he receives the leprosy of Naaman along with his wealth. 

We wish to point out that the servant of Elisha didn't separate priestcraft from the priesthood; prophethood from profiteering; or a Prophet from profit. He wanted the world over the Lord in a moment of weakness. At that moment he became short-sighted and it cost him a long-term punishment and possible long-term reward. We could make the same mistakes in our lives. Our lives are filled with temptations. Some have short-term pain but others, have long-term.

The things of God are not to be bought or sold. Because He gives freely we must learn to do the same. As it seems the higher and closer we try to come to God we must realize that we are creating a gap between those things based and lie in the valley of life and the higher and holier things. When we attempt to serve both God and the devil, we lose.

When we follow the commandments of God we are so richly blessed. Our temporal and spiritual needs are met when we put the Lord first. The servant of Elisha learned that. We hope that you too learn from him so you do not suffer as he did but be more like the widow who was promised a son because she took time to listen and be with the prophet.

Challenges 
1) Read 2 Kings 17-25
2) Make a goal to do secret service this week. Record your thoughts and feelings about what you did?

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