Influence for Personal Gain

 2 Kings 4-5; Psalms. 83; 1 Timothy 2 

“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, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds or menservants or maidservants? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.’...”

2 Kings 5:26, 27

Those whom God uses to bring the Gospel of the kingdom to lost people have significant influence with new believers. To experience the inner peace of God, the forgiveness of sins, healing, freedom, and restoration is an amazing gift of God. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant used this favor and influence to ask for a gift from Naaman the Syrian, putting him in the same category as the pagan temple servants and prophets who used their spiritual powers for personal gain. This is the time to confront the kingdom of darkness, not copy it through materialism and idolatry. Gehazi was rebuked by Elisha because his motive was personal gain, not selfless service. As servants of the same Lord, we, too, need to examine our hearts and ask God to sift our relationships that he might be glorified. Our witness to the world is at stake.

“Lord Jesus, I repent for my use of kingdom influence for personal gain, that you alone be glorified.”