Bible Reading
2 Kings 5:15-27 “Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, 'Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.' But he said, 'As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.' And he urged him to take it, but he refused. Then Naaman said, 'If not, please let there be given to your servant two mules' load of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD. In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.' He said to him, 'Go in peace.' But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, 'See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.' So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, 'Is all well?' And he said, 'All is well. My master has sent me to say, "There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing."' And Naaman said, 'Be pleased to accept two talents.' And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants, and they carried them before Gehazi. And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, 'Where have you been, Gehazi?' And he said, 'Your servant went nowhere.' But he said to him, 'Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.' So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.”
[00:47]Luke 12:15 “And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
[34:29]Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
[28:24]Observation questions
- What does Naaman’s offer of a gift to Elisha reveal about how he responded to his healing? [08:02]
- What reasons does Elisha give, directly or by his actions, for refusing Naaman’s treasure? [10:47]
- What details in Naaman’s requests show his desire to worship the God of Israel after returning to Syria? [14:09]
- Trace Gehazi’s actions after Elisha refuses Naaman’s gift. What lies does he tell, and what does he do with what he receives? [25:41]
Interpretation questions
- Why was it important that Naaman could not connect his healing with a payment to Elisha? What wrong ideas about God’s grace and ministry could have grown if Elisha had accepted the reward? [11:13]
- Naaman’s understanding of God was still incomplete, yet his heart had turned toward the Lord. What does Elisha’s response to Naaman’s concern about his work in the temple of Rimmon show about God’s concern for the heart? [17:43]
- Gehazi viewed Naaman as an undeserving enemy and used that reasoning to justify taking from him. How can a sense of unfairness become a way of excusing greed or dishonesty? [22:32]
- Elisha names not only the silver and clothing but also the things Gehazi hoped to gain through them. What does this reveal about the difference between a sinful action and the desires that may already be growing in the heart? [32:17]
Application questions
- Greed can involve money and possessions, but also fame, attention, pleasure, and control. In which of these areas is contentment most easily lost, and what warning signs show that “enough” is no longer enough? [02:32]
- Gehazi’s downfall began as he entertained and developed a thought. What tempting thought or repeated inner argument needs to be brought honestly before God rather than rehearsed in private? [21:26]
- Greed often makes sin sound fair, necessary, or even spiritual. When has someone been tempted to use a good-sounding reason to excuse something Scripture forbids? What helps expose that kind of rationalizing? [23:40]
- Gehazi’s first lie led to hiding, more lies, and self-deception. Is there any area where secrecy has begun to shape choices, spending, relationships, or online habits? What could honest confession and accountability look like? [29:27]
- God knew Naaman’s sincere desire to worship Him, and He also knew Gehazi’s hidden ambitions. How does remembering that God knows the heart encourage both honesty and hope? [33:00]
- Elisha refused credit for what God alone had done. Where is there a temptation to seek recognition for an ability, opportunity, ministry, or success that ultimately came from God? What would humility look like in that situation? [35:21]
- Generosity is a practical way to resist greed’s grip. What is one specific way this group could use its time, possessions, money, or abilities to help someone in need or support the spread of the gospel this week? [36:19]
