Consequences

He said to him, “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” So Gehazi followed Naaman. 
And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 
And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’ ” 
And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 
And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 
He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” 
And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” 
So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow. (2 Kings 5:19–27)

There is much more to this story. The prophet was significant when this Syrian man was healed from a serious case of leprosy. Naaman was on his way home and thought he should reward Elisha but Elisha refused because God did the healing, not him. However, Elisha’s servant liked the idea of a reward and decided to go for it, behind his master’s back. When Elisha found out and confronted him, he told him the consequences of his lies and greed.

I’ve often thought how we are free to make choices but we cannot choose the consequences. This OT story is an example. More can be seen in many of the fictional dramas in the movies and television. Sadder still are those from real life. Individuals, families, co-workers, all people suffer for choosing selfishly. Broken relationships, illness, jail time, accidents, and all sorts of tragedies and unhappy situations are only a few of the many outcomes of ‘my way’ instead of God's way. And even if these unhappy results do not happen, after filling a shopping cart, every person must go through the checkout.

But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! (Psalm 73:16–19)
Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. (Psalm 37:1–2)
Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed— and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:16–20)

When young, life seems long and filled with opportunities and many choices. Now that I am older, it seems short and much of what I thought I wanted seems without value. Only God knows what will survive the judgment seat of Christ and have value for eternity. This makes me much more cautious about my choices and values.

Jesus, it is sobering to realize that even those who serve You or support Your people like Gehazi did can become greedy for things that do not have eternal value. Today, the food I cook and the chores that are done have value in this life, yet are “wood, hay, straw,” unless I do them in the grace You provide. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Enable me to keep my focus on what matters for Your glory rather than satisfying my selfish desires.