"Consequences Of Greed Series Two."
Rev. Dr. Charles O. Osueke
Remember we are still discussing the consequence of greed. And we cited the story of Gehazi in II kings chapter 5. When one becomes very eager to get rich, he or she will definitely get into troubles with God and man. Money, fame and positions are good, and they are part of the blessings that God promised us in the bible. But, even then we must make sure that we don't go about it anyhow. When we serve God, He must surly bless us.
Now back to Gehazi. Let's look at some of the opportunities that he had. First, Look at Gehazi's master Elisha. He humbled himself to serve Elijah. He served Elijah with all sincerity. Even when other prophets were trying to discourage him (Elisha) from following his master till the end, he refused to be discouraged. He continued to follow Elijah until they crossed River Jordan. At that point his master asked him, what he wanted from him.
Let's see the story, (2 Kings 2:4 - 15):
[Bible Text 1]
"But again Elisha replied, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you. So they went on together. Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. Then Elijah folded his cloak together and stuck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground! When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, 'what can I do for you before I am taken away?' And Elisha replied, ' please let me become your rightful successor.' You have asked a difficult thing, ' Elijah replied. 'If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won't.' As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between them, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, my father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Israel! And as they disappeared from sight, Elijah tore his robe in two. Then Elisha picked up Elijah's cloak and returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with the water with the cloak and cried out, 'where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?'. The river divided, and Elisha went across. When the group of prophets from Jericho saw what happened, they exclaimed, 'Elisha has become Elijah's successor!' And they went to meet him and bowed down before him."Elisha's story was indeed an encouraging one. From the beginning he knew what he wanted, he was focused, refused to be distracted or discouraged and eventually got his target.
Before, we continue, I want to emphasize something at this point. It was when they crossed Jordan that Elijah asked Elisha the servant what he ( Elisha) wanted from him. There are certain specific questions that God will never ask us until we cross Jordan with Him. Until we burn our bridges, there are certain gifts that God would not entrust us with.
If we really want to get to this level with God, we must leave the crowd behind and cross the 'Jordan' with him.
There are some gifts or blessings that God does not give to the crowd. They are reserved for people who with single mind follow God beyond the ordinary level, beyond the crowd level. We must sell-out ourselves completely.
I want to challenge you to dedicate yourself to God unreservedly. Take, digest and practice the word of God as it is written. The bible also said that the secret things of God belong to those that fear Him.
Then, Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit; not just for himself, but for the nation of Israel. When Elijah was being taking up, Elisha shouted, " My father! My father! The chariots and the charioteers of Israel!" This is because God has used Elijah his master to fight the battles of Israel. Elisha was concerned about filling the gap that the exit of Elijah was going to create. He (Elisha) wanted to fill that gap. And as he was shouting the mantle fell. Till next week.
God bless you.