May 9, 2024

Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man, but he had leprosy. His wife had a young servant girl who was captured out of Israel on one of their raids. She mentioned to Naaman’s wife that a prophet of God in Samaria could heal his leprosy. So Naaman sent a letter to the king of Israel, along with silver, gold, and clothing, asking him to allow the prophet to heal him. The king was frightened that Naaman might want to start a war if Elisha couldn’t heal him and tore his clothes. However, Elisha heard about Naaman and told the king to send him so he would know there was a prophet in Israel. Naaman came to the door of Elisha’s house, and Elisha sent him a message to go to the Jordan and wash seven times. It irritated Naaman that Elisha didn’t come to the door and pronounce his healing, only to tell him to go and wash. He left there aggravated, but one of his servants reminded him that he would have done it if he had told him to do something more grand. So Naaman gave in, went to the Jordan River, dipped in it seven times, and came up clean and healed. He then went to Elisha, trying to pay him, but Elisha refused. However, after Naaman left, Gehazi, Elisha’s helper, decided to go after him and tell him Elisha changed his mind and asked him for silver and clothing. Elisha, being a prophet, knew what he had done and pronounced that he and his children would take on Naaman’s leprosy. Gehazi walked away white with the disease. 

What a lesson! Should we get paid for what God has done? Elisha gave Naaman God’s instructions; he was a vessel that God used to prove His might. God collects the payment and takes all the credit for His mercy. Be cautious when trying to profit off God—shame on those who derive fame and fortune from God’s goodness and mercy. 

And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 2 Kings 5:26