Is This The Time?

After Naaman was healed of leprosy he urged Elisha to accept a gift but the prophet refused. Elisha was making a clear distinction. The grace of God is never to be merchandised for profit. Accepting such a gift was to say the power was in the prophet's ability not God. In Acts 8:20 we read of Simon the sorcerer who wanted to purchase the authority of the Holy Spirit. Apostle Peter rebukes him, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! (NIV).

Minutes after Naaman departs, Elisha's servant Gehazzi reasons that his master was too easy on Naaman. Naaman after all was an Aramean whose people had a history of cruelly oppressing Israel. When Gehazzi returns with two talents of silver and clothes he hides them and then presents himself to Elisha. The prophet asks is this time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? (2 Kings 5:26). In other words, everything that Gehazzi had dreamed of owning and enjoying but had nothing to do the kingdom of God.

It was not the time (or ever) for self indulgence and self interests. And it was not the time for those things that might have been permissible and lawful. Sadly, the American culture capitalizes on entitlements, rights, and privileges which has corrupted the thinking and behavior of the people of God.

Right now God is asking us the same question He asked the exiles who had returned from Babylon. "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" (Haggai 1:4, NIV). We want much but will not release the very thing God has placed in our hands. As a result, we have no return in our labors and efforts because the focus is on ourselves and what we might gain (1:6).

Beloved, if there is ever a time it is now to pay tithes (giving to the building of His kingdom) and stop arguing with Him that you can't give anything to God because you may be without. He will provide. Whatever the Lord prompts you to do - be it service, tithing, encouraging another or praying - do so as unto the Lord without seeking a reward. The leprosy that clung to Naaman become Gehazzi's for all his generations. Beloved, don't take it into your own hands to fulfill your desires for it only be rot to your bones.

Trust the Lord for He knows how to reward those who faithfully seek Him above their own interests (Hebrews 11:6).