The Greedy’s Gospel Vs The True Gospel

The Greedy’s Gospel vs God’s Gospel- The Problem With Those Who Use The Pulpit To Promote Their Greed

But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow. (2 Kings 5:26-27)

Gehazi seemed to show his true colors. After Elisha was used by the Lord to perform a miracle and heal his leprosy, Gehazi thought of it as an opportunity to squeeze some money out of the very grateful once leper Namaan.

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, “My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” (2 Kings 5:20)

Naaman at first offers to compensate Elisha for what God used him to do, Elisha refused and said

The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused. (2 Kings 5:16)

Yet Gehazi let his lust for money and greed for gain get him into trouble. He was tempted by an opportunity to get some compensation and rushes to his own doom in doing so.

This is kind of similar to Jesus’s instructions to his disciples when he sent them out to spread his gospel message

7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. (Matthew 10:7-10)

Jesus told them not to collect money from those who they preached his message too, but “freely you have received; freely give”

There is a simple lesson in both these stories, preaching the gospel should never be a means or excuse to pursue greed or selfish gain. The harm that has been done over the years by people who turn “My house in to a den of robbers” is evident. When the people started to use the temple as a Market place- it made Jesus very angry. So angry he made whips and chased out those who were making profits off those trying to come worship.

The same thing can happen in our times. Some people use ministry as a means for getting wealthy. Yet we should share this message of God’s gift of salvation without satisfying greedy pursuits

It’s one thing to earn a reasonable living to provide for ones family from being a pastor. Yet the motive is key to examine- we must always strive to do the Lord’s work not looking for monetary gain but just because he has called us to spread his good message.

Paul says he had the right to earn a living to survive, but Paul had a tent making job to support himself because he was afraid people may think he was just preaching for money, and he was not. He wanted people he invested in not to be able to say falsely he was only doing what he did because he was given money by them.

If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 1 Corinthians 9:12-17

Paul just loved sharing the good news regardless. He was passionate about the souls of the people he saw come to faith.