Was This The Right Time?

2 Kings 5:26
But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?

When Naaman though reluctantly followed the instructions given by Elisha the prophet, he completely recovered from his leprosy. He was so excited and he went back to meet Elisha and thank him for his healing, 2 Kings 5:15. When he got to where Elisha was, he thanked him and wanted to offer him gifts as an appreciation for his work. Elisha refused to take any gifts as an appreciation for Naaman’s healing, 2 Kings 5:16.

Elisha considered this to be an act of corruption and he refused to participate in it. He was just acting on behalf of God and therefore didn’t deserve any payment for healing done by God. To accept payment would be to act like God. To accept any payment would be to give cost to the healing which in reality no one can afford. Elisha did not accept anything from Naaman.

Elisha saw this as an opportunity to show Naaman that the God of Israel is unlike other gods that Naaman previously served. It was time to show Naaman that the God of Israel was so gracious that He didn’t need to pay to perform healing. It was time to show Naaman that a prophet is not God.

Elisha refused to allow greed to blind his decision-making. The gifts given by Naaman would have made his life comfortable but at the expense of peace with God. Elisha was convinced that this was not the time to be rich and comfortable if it meant causing Naaman to misunderstand God. Elisha saw this as a moment to demonstrate the superiority of God who cannot be bought with gifts. A God who can’t be impressed by material things.

Naaman, therefore, left the presence of Elisha and went home happily. Gehazi the servant of Elisha secretly followed Naaman and asked for gifts. Naaman gladly gave Gehazi gifts assuming that they would be given to Elisha. Gehazi hid the gifts in his house and went back to Elisha acting innocently.

Our text today is a rebuke by Elisha to Gehazi. Elisha rebukes Gehazi for being so greedy that he caused Naaman to misunderstand God and even misunderstand Elisha. Elisha asks Gehazi if this was really the right time to seek material benefit. Was this the right time?

When Elisha had just said no to Naaman’s gifts, was this the right time for Gehazi to go ask for gifts? Naaman would think that Elisha was only pretending to reject the gifts only to ask for them again. Was this the right time to ask for gifts when Naaman would think that prophets of Israel are like other prophets whose services are paid for? Was this the right time to ask for gifts when Naaman was starting to believe in the greatness of an Israel God who doesn’t need gifts and is just gracious?

When God promised to reward us for all we do for Him, was this the right time to seek rewards from Naaman? When God’s rewards are better than anything Naaman can offer, was this the right time to go for these inferior gifts? Even if Gehazi was desperate for some material things, was this the right time?

2 Kings 5:26
“…Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?”

Was it the right time to go for the material things listed? Compared to peace with God? Was it the right time? No wealth acquired can compare to being at peace with God. No amount of possessions can be equivalent to the blessings God gives us for being faithful to Him. Was this the right time for Gehazi’s material needs to be met?

Is this the right time to miss church because you are chasing wealth? Is this the right time to sacrifice parenting time to acquire wealth? Is this the right time to exercise power and hurt others? Is this the right time to be unjust and unfair? Is this the right time to risk the welfare of your family for a transient fling? Is this the right time to go to witches for help when faith in God would give a better reward? Is this the right time to steal from your place of work? After accepting Christ and declaring to the whole world that you are a believer, is this the time to contradict all that?

May God save us from the greed of Gehazi. May God save us from the poor judgment of Gehazi. May God save us from the curse that befell Gehazi. May God help us to know the time and trust Him in such a time as this, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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