Legacy: God Honors the Heart by Vance K. JacksonНамуна

But Gehazi.

“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.” ‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬.

Character matters. Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, runs after Naaman in pursuit of filthy lucre. Elisha refused to receive gifts from the hands of Naaman. Gehazi saw that his master, Elisha, had refused to take funding from Gehazi’s company. There’s a time to give and there’s a time to receive, this wasn’t one of those times. This was a holy moment where Elisha didn’t receive from Naaman.

But Gehazi pursued after rejected riches. Elisha rejected the gift from Naaman. There are times when you appropriately accept gifts, and there are times when you reject gifts. This was a time when Elisha rejected the gift. Gehazi did not understand, so he decided to pursue his self-interest, and instead of getting an understanding from his teacher–he pursued Mammon (the worship of money) instead of honoring God.

Gehazi’s character was more than flawed–his heart worshipped Mammon. Gehazi did not have a momentary character lapse–his heart followed after an idol that cost him everything.

Elisha, who received the double mantle from his father–Elijah, successfully carried the anointing with character and grace. Elisha pursued after Promise instead of position. When it was time for Elijah, Elisha’s spiritual father, to transition–Elisha followed Elijah. Elisha patterned his ways after Elijah. Elisha submitted to God and honored his father–Elijah. But Gehazi pursued after filthy lucre with his whole heart and dishonored this holy moment.