Coveting

What a tragedy is the life of Gehazi, Elisha's apprentice. Here was a man who had witnessed the power of God in the life of Elisha. He had been taught by his life and his words; yet, he was filled with covetousness and sin. He eagerly desired the world's treasures for after Elisha had sent a healed Naaman away, emphasizing that it was all of grace and would cost Naaman nothing, Gehazi decided to run after Naaman and get some of the offered wealth for himself. And his lie was insidious--he claimed that two of God's servants had just dropped by and wouldn't Naaman like to help meet their needs?
Naaman, a grateful, generous man, wanted to double the size of the "gift" Gehazi wanted. Elisha, after Gehazi returned, gave him the opportunity to confess his sin, but he only lied some more.
The bitter fruit of coveting is deadly. The character of God's servant Elisha was tarnished for Gehazi had claimed that "his master had sent him." A stumbling block had been placed in a new believer's path compromising the message of grace. The "healing" now had a price tag after all. Gehazi, himself, lost his opportunity to serve God.
In this age of materialism "is it time to receive money and to receive garments"? Gehazi did get something for his lie and his coveting--Naaman's leprosy. Do you think that you can take what you want from the world's storehouse and not become a servant to its values and its sin? And do not think that such a choice will not affect your family as well.

There are no more dangerous words in a person's experience than "I want what I will."