Nobody likes a cheat!

That is, unless, you’re the cheat. In that situation, you might feel wise and crafty. You might even feel a bit of thrill from your trickery. Maybe you feel justified in your actions?

• Maybe you feel you’re owed something?
• Maybe it’s just a small cheat so you don’t think it’s a big deal?
• Maybe it’s against the government or a big corporation, so it’s worth it?
• Maybe you just plain don’t care?

Regardless of your reasoning, remember that cheaters never prosper! Cheating people out of money and possessions has been happening since the days of Elisha the prophet, and it never ends well for the cheater!

“Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:1)

This opening verse is a vital piece of information when reading through 2 Kings 5. We can establish that (1) Naaman was a great military leader. Moreover, (2) he must have served God well to be used by God in such a mighty way.

Then, we have a seemingly random descriptor that (3) “he had leprosy.” Why is this included? It seems out of place. Why wouldn’t God protect this great leader from such a terrible illness? Why wouldn’t God heal him?

[bctt tweet=”Regardless of your reasoning, remember that cheaters never prosper. Cheating people out of money and possessions has been happening since biblical times, and it never ends well for the cheater.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

We’re being set up for a big reveal!

It’s almost like a news story, where the opening line gives an odd tidbit to hook the reader. A valiant military leader with leprosy? I had better keep reading!

We come to find out that Naaman ended up communicating with Elisha the prophet, to request healing. However, Elisha chooses not to meet him in person. Instead, he passes a message to Naaman through a servant.

Naaman is told to wash seven times in the Jordan River, and he’ll be healed!

Naaman is not impressed.

Naaman gets quite angry with Elisha; that he wouldn’t meet with him in person. Naaman assumed that Elisha would heal him directly, or at least, tell him to wash in one of the cleaner rivers in the area. (The Jordan at the time was an important river, but not the cleanest.)

Nevertheless, Naaman’s desperate, as anyone with leprosy would be. He did as Elisha’s servant had said and god was faithful! Naaman was healed!

So, what’s the lesson here? We might determine, that at this point, the lesson is about obedience, which is evident. Although Naaman didn’t like the method of the healed, he obeyed God’s prophet. And God healed him! Sounds fairly straightforward, doesn’t it?

There’s still more to glean from this account!

As we’ve established, when Naaman calmed down and followed Elisha’s advice, through his servant, he was healed. As you can imagine, Naaman was very grateful to be healed! From a spirit of thanksgiving, he wanted to reward Elisha for his message and God’s healing.

However, Elisha insisted that no rewards or gifts were to be given or taken. God alone should be thanked! Naaman accepted this instruction, again showing obedience. Instead, he would prepare a sacrifice to the Lord.

This is a great decision; all seems to be going well. Until Elisha’s servant shows up again!

This is where the lesson shifts from obedience over anger to faithfulness over greed. Elisha’s servant contacts Naaman and changes the deal without Elisha’s knowledge (or so he thinks). He dupes Naaman into giving over some money and clothing as a reward for the healing.

Does this servant forget Elisha was a prophet?

Of course, God lets Elisha in on his servant’s scam. Elisha then confronts him with the following words:

“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, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” (2 Kings 5:26-27)

The leprosy that had exited Naaman’s body now falls on the servant. And worse, that it will become a hereditary disease for the servant’s lineage.

This was a heavy price to pay!

The money and clothing that the servant scammed out of Naaman are worthless in comparison to the life he would now live. And the curse he had brought on his descendants. Not worth it!

This is how sin works. In this case, the sin of greed played out in trickery. It sends you down a road, travelling farther than you’d ever thought want to go. In turn, costing you more than you’d ever want to pay.

There’s a two-fold lesson to be found in this account, ultimately based on God’s oversight and sovereignty.

1. God is merciful and able to heal our infirmities. This passage is for those who are praying for healing. Remember that Naaman was a leper before he was healed, perhaps for most of his life? Stay faithful, stay obedient, and don’t let anger consume you.
2. God is a righteous judge who sees the big picture. This passage is for those of us who have no illness. Whether it’s tricking a shop owner out of a bit of change, or a property-gospel evangelist getting rich off of the poor; God is watching and their sin will find them out.

We’re called to financial integrity.

The desire for money and possessions is a natural part of life for most of us. We all have needs, and most of us also have things we would like to have (wants, not needs). We can’t let these desires consume us.

Instead, we should be content with what we have. We should be content with where God has placed us, working hard in that place. Work is a great thing, and can even be a form of worship. God sees all of it and will provide for us accordingly.

Moreover, it is not wrong to accept a gift or payment. Elisha could have accepted Naaman’s gift if God had wanted him to. Or God could have instructed Elisha to accept food and drink, instead of money and clothing? There are enough situations in Scripture to show us that sometimes God allows such blessings.

[bctt tweet=”The desire for money and possessions is a natural part of life for most of us. We all have needs, and most of us also have things we would like to have (wants, not needs). We can’t let these desires consume us.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

Cheating people will not go unseen.

Regardless of the amount of money or the type of commodity, God is watching. He is our loving Heavenly Father who wants His children to live an honourable life, so they can lead a fulfilling life. Ultimately for His glory, but also for our benefit. We should, therefore, not be surprised if our Heavenly Father chooses to issue consequences for greed trickery, or any other sinful behaviour that harms others.

I’m not saying God will strike you and your family down with leprosy; not that He couldn’t if He wanted to. I am saying, as I said before, our sins will find us out. When we embrace sinful behaviour, God allows us down a road that always ends in serious, painful repercussions. It’s never worth it!

[bctt tweet=”Our sins will find us out. When we embrace sinful behaviour, God allows us down a road that always ends in serious, painful repercussions. It’s never worth it.” username=”PastorJNorton”]

Cheaters never prosper.