Motivating Factors

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought.  As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”  2 Kings 5:20 (NIV)

It is hard to image that someone like Gehazi, who worked for such an anointed man of God like Elisha, and saw the power of God firsthand, would be a person of corrupt motives.  But he was.

It all started when Elisha gave Naaman instructions on how to be healed from leprosy.  As a result of his healing, Naaman wanted to pay Elisha.  However Elisha understood that he was not the one who healed Naaman.  God did.  For Elisha to accept payment was for him to take credit for what God actually did.  Also, for him to accept payment was for him to promote the incorrect believe of Naaman that God's miracles were for sale.  So Elisha refused payment.

Gehazi, on the other hand, seeing his master simply walk away, rationalized within himself as to why he should run after Naaman and get some money for himself.  He lied to Naaman and said that Elisha sent him to get some money.  Then he lied to Elisha not wanting him to know that he had took some of the money for himself.  However true motives and hidden agendas are always revealed.  And when his was, Elisha fired him and God struck him with leprosy.

Today let us pray that God keep our motives pure, and that we do not rationalize ourselves out of the favor and grace of God like Gehazi.