Open Heaven For Teens Tuesday 31 August 2021 Daily Devotional was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
TOPIC: Gehazi The Covetous
MEMORISE: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
READ: 2 Kings 5:20-27
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Corinthians 11:1-34 , Psalms 145-147
MESSAGE:
Covetousness as defined in the dictionary is having a desire to possess something belonging to another person. In our Bible text for today, we see Gehazi, the servant to Elisha, the prophet of God being covetous. Naaman, a captain to the king of Syria had leprosy. On the advice of his servant girl, he went to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy. He obeyed the prophet and was cleansed, so, he thought it wise to present gifts to the servant of God. Elisha refused to accept the gift but Gehazi was not satisfied. He decided to pursue Naaman and take some things from him (2 Kings 5:20). This decision of his fuelled by covetousness ended his ministry as he became a leper. Bible scholars have said that Elijah performed about seven miracles and Elisha performed double of that. Maybe Gehazi would have performed double of what Elisha did.
A lot of destinies have been destroyed by the kingdom of darkness because of this little thing. Do you always long to have what others have? Youd better watch it. Learn from Gehazi. May your destiny not be destroyed in Jesus name.
KEY POINT: Godliness with contentment is a great gain.
HYMN: Christian Seek Not Yet Repose
Christian, seek not yet repose,
Hear thy guardian angel say,
“Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray!
Principalities and powers,
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thine unguarded hours:
“Watch and pray!
Gird thy heavenly armour on,
Wear it every night and day,
Ambushed lies the evil one:
“Watch and pray!
Hear the victors
who overcame;
Still they mark each
warrior’s way,
All with one sweet
voice exclaim,
“Watch and pray!
Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart
His word,
“Watch and pray!
Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray, that help may
be sent down:
“Watch and pray!”
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