Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Lectionary for 9/8/09

Today's readings are 2 Kings 5.9-27 and Philippians 1.1-20.

The interchange between Elisha, Naaman, and Gehazi reveals a good deal to us about the ministry of the gospel.  Elisha told Naaman of God's plan for healing him.  Like the New Testament claims to believe that Christ has died in our stead as a full propitiation for our sins, Elisha's command that Naaman wash in the Jordan seven times seemed foolish.  This is something that is demeaning for it doesn't use the resources we have brought to the situation.  It is free, which is offensive to Naaman, a rich man.  Yet, as with the New Testament command that all we do is believe the gospel, Naaman finds that following God's command is the only way to be cleansed.

What of Naaman's desire to give Elisha money?  Is there anything wrong with that desire?  As long as it is not motivated from a desire to pay for services rendered, there's nothing wrong with giving God's servants money.  Is it all right to pay a pastor?  Paul tells us in Ephesians that the elder is worthy of a double reward.  But Elisha did not give God's word to Naaman in order to receive money.  Naaman could not pay Elisha enough to do that.  God's word is more precious than any financial reward we can imagine.

We need to ask about Gehazi's motivations, then.  It is clear that his desire was to receive a reward he could use for himself.  He did not disclose it to Elisha.  He was already taken care of by Elisha.  There was no call for Gehazi to act as Elisha's debt collector.  There was no debt.

In our zeal for the Gospel, let us be sure it is zeal for the Gospel.  As we seek to provide for Christ's servants, let us be sure that our motivation is not to provide for ourselves, but to provide for those others.  God will take care of us.  He is the giver of daily bread.  He will always watch over his people.  Let us desire to provide the Gospel freely, realizing that our Lord and Savior will indeed give us all we need.



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