Week 7, January 11
LESSON 7
Corrupted by Covetousness
Lesson Text:
2 Kings 5:9,10,14-16,20-27; Proverbs 28:20-22
Memory Verse
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
1 Timothy 6:10
Key Terms
Avarice • Insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth.
Largess • Generous bestowal of gifts.
Remuneration • Compensation; pay.
Suggested Emphasis
"He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent," the proverb warns us (Proverbs 28:20b). Indeed, our own observations certainly confirm that avarice will give rise to all manner of other sins. The occasional consumer of local news can recount stories of murder, robbery, embezzlement, espionage and betrayal that were motivated by someone's naked greed. It is a truism: "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).
Emphasis 1:
Gehazi Coveted the Gifts
Naaman Brought
The Syrian general Naaman received a miraculous healing when he obeyed the instructions of the prophet Elisha. He returned to the prophet, after being cleansed of leprosy in the Jordan River, with awe and gratitude for the God of Israel. He wanted to lavish gifts on Elisha in appreciation for what was done. But the prophet refused to accept anything from his hand. Instead, Elisha magnified the Lord in Naaman's eyes by preserving the miracle as a complete work of grace, for which the Syrian could repay nothing.
However, Elisha's steward Gehazi could not appreciate the gesture of his master. All the servant could focus on was the largess Naaman was carrying back home. Gehazi reasoned that he would follow after the Syrian and clandestinely ask for some payment. When Naaman realized the servant was following him, he stopped to ask if all was well. Gehazi claimed that his master sent him because visitors had come and the prophet wanted to bless them. Naaman presented Gehazi more than he asked for, and loaned him two servants to carry the bounty.
Emphasis 2:
The Cover-Up Failed
The greedy steward even tried to conceal his actions: Before they arrived at the residence, he took the bags from the servants and sent them back to Naaman. Gehazi secreted the stash, and then nonchalantly made a reappearance before the prophet. Unfortunately for the steward, the eyes of the Lord are in all places, beholding the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3). Elisha called him out immediately for trying to deceive him and choosing to profit from Naaman's benevolence. Rhetorically he asked, "Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants and maidservants?" (2 Kings 5:26). The verdict from Heaven was that Gehazi would from then on be afflicted with the same leprosy that Naaman had suffered.
Emphasis 3:
The Snare of Greed
Covetousness became a snare for Gehazi. We risk walking into the same trap when we allow our principles to be compromised for the sake of gain. We will make a muddle of our Christian walk if we chase after money and luxury. The simple truth is that avarice among the saints scandalizes the name of Christ. We will not be held guiltless if we give credence to the charge that the church is full of money-grubbers. We need to challenge ourselves over the issue of covetousness. We need to rediscover the attitude where we will "spend
and be spent" (2 Corinthians 12:15) for the benefit of others, especially for those in the household of faith. Grasping for remuneration in every church office—from teacher, to musician, to secretary—is a bad look. Exhorters making a show of giving in the service to encourage the congregation, and then slipping into the back room to reclaim their money, is a worse look. Raising abundant offerings for church leaders but a pittance for mission work is the worst. A prophetic voice today needs to echo Elisha's: "Is it a time to receive money?"
Missions Application Questions
Why did Elisha refuse the gifts that Naaman brought?
What did Gehazi decide to do? How did it work out for him?
Discuss some specific ways greed plagues the modern church.
World Missions Prayer Points
Let us pray that the Lord moderate our desires and appetites to guard against covetousness.
Let us pray that greedy and opportunistic people in public ministry are exposed.
Let us meditate on what it means to "spend and be spent" for the benefit of others.
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