Learning to turn loose
(Greed)
Introduction: What is greed? Greed is the strong desire for things. Wanting more and more of the things of this world. The prophet Elisha had refused to accept the gifts of gold, silver and fancy robes from Naaman after he was healed. But Gehazi (Elisha's servant) wanted those things. He secretly chased after Naaman and lied to him to get the precious gifts for himself.
3Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world.
The Greed of Gehazi -
II Kings 5:
20But Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting his gifts. As surely as the LORD lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” 21So Gehazi set off after him.
When Naaman saw him running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.
22“Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”
23“By all means, take 150 pounds of silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi. 24But when they arrived at the hill, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he hid the gifts inside the house.
25When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”
“I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.
26But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and servants? 27Because you have done this, you and your children and your children’s children will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was leprous; his skin was as white as snow.
(We see that Gehazi's greed for the money and fancy clothes of Naaman led to the punishment of God upon him. He became a leper for the rest of his life. Leprosy was a serious disease that caused his skin and other parts of his body to die and rot, even while he was still alive.)
Jesus and Zacchaeus
Luke 19
1Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was one of the most influential Jews in the Roman tax-collecting business, and he had become very rich. 3He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there.
5When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today.”
6Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7But the crowds were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham. 10And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.”
Scriptures taken from the New Living Translation
