Daily Devotional

“He said to him, ‘Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?’ ” (2 Kings 5:26). 

Larry had grown up in a loving Christian home. Yet there were also many troubles in his family that started Larry down the wrong path. He began to associate with thieves and was eventually caught and jailed for robbery. His time in jail only made things worse as he met another thief who was much more serious about making a career of it. 

After being released, Larry and his new team began to rob jewellery stores and banks. For a while it looked as though Larry had achieved his dream. He was driving luxury cars, going on expensive vacations, and filling his house with plush furniture. Nevertheless, he never reached the point of satisfaction, and the day came when the police caught up to his team. Soon his boats, cars, and other luxury items were on the evening news, as the police celebrated one of their biggest victories. 

Gehazi had seen God’s ability to provide. But greed is never satisfied. As the servant of the prophet Elisha, Gehazi had seen a woman build Eli- sha an extra room for lodging, her boy raised from the dead, and the healing of a foreign commander. Even so, these experiences were not enough to deter him from chasing after the healed commander. He asked for some of the gifts Elisha had refused. As a prophet’s servant, Gehazi should have known that God sees everything. Perhaps his greed blinded him to this fact, and his punishment was leprosy. 

Later in life he would once again have the pleasure of helping people by telling the king of God’s miracles through Elisha and pleading for a woman who had lost her land (2 Kings 8:4–6). While it is healthy to desire good things, it is also important to remember that God is the true source of satisfaction. He has the best timing and methods for satisfying our desires. 

Lord, thank You for reminding me that You alone can satisfy me.