Daily Walk With Christ COCIN Devotional 20TH MARCH 2023 TOPIC INORDINATE LOVE FOR THINGS

SUB-THEME: INDICES OF LACK OF PEACE.

TEXT: 2 KINGS 5:19-27.

19 “Go in peace,” he said. So Naaman left. After Naaman had gone only a short distance,

20 Gehazi, the attendant to Elisha, the man of God, told himself, “Look how my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman! He declined to take from him what he brought. As the LORD lives, I’m going to run after him and get something from him.”

21 So Gehazi ran after Naaman. When Naaman noticed someone running after him, he came down from his chariot, greeted him and asked, “Is everything all right?”

22 Gehazi said, “Everything’s all right. My master sent me to tell you, ‘Just now two men from the Guild of Prophets have arrived from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them each a talent of silver bullion and two sets of clothes.’”

23 But Naaman said, “Please accept my invitation to take two talents of silver.” He urged him, binding two talents of silver in two bags, along with two sets of clothes. He placed them in the care of two of his young men, and they went on ahead of Gehazi.

24 When he arrived at the stronghold, Gehazi took the bags from their custody and hid them away in the house. Then he sent the men away and they left.

25 Later he went to address his master. Elisha asked him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” “Your servant went nowhere in particular,” he said.

26 But Elisha responded, “Didn’t my heart break as the man was turning from his chariot to greet you? Is now the time to receive money? To receive clothes? And olive groves, vineyards, sheep, oxen, servants, or female attendants?

27 Naaman’s leprosy will plague you and your descendants forever!” As he left Elisha’s presence, he was infected with leprosy that looked like white snow. Num 12:10 2Ch 26:19-20

TOPIC: INORDINATE LOVE FOR THINGS.

When Naaman received divine healing, he presented some valuable gifts to Elisha, but he refused (v. 15-16). He rather pronounced the peace of the Lord on him and sent him away. But Gehazi, for the excessive love of worldly things, went after Naaman in pretence that he was sent by the Man of God. Gehazi lied to Naaman purposely to satisfy his desire for material things he had hoped to acquire. He had the notion that the free gift of God should have a price tag. Therefore, he traded it for material advantage. His greed landed him in a great disaster. Leprosy became his lot and that of his family. Reader, ponder again on the things you set your mind upon. Do not focus on materials things but on things of eternal value (1 John 2:15-17).

REFLECTION:

The gift of God is not for sale.

Lord, deliver me from the love of material things, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH: JAMES 4:1

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?.

TODAY’S READING PLAN: 1 SAMUEL 16-19.