Wealth, power, or health?

When facing death, anyone is willing to give any financial means he has to avoid dying. Steve Jobs, one of the most wealthy men of this generation died despite all his money, but I bet he would have been willing to give it all for a few more years.

The COVID19 has taken several wealthy and famous people who would have given anything to live, but death did not accept their offer.

The Bible tells us about a man named Naaman, a powerful man who had a disease that would lead to death. Let’s read the story!

Read 2 kin 5

Sometimes God allows difficult circumstances in our life so we may glorify Him when He works in our difficulty. 15

What are the lessons his case teaches us?

Health is better than power.

Naaman had a powerful position: the commander of the king’s army. In other words, the highest ranked general, the minister of Defense; a well-paid position desired by many.

He was mighty warrior with many medals on his chest, a hero of many great victories. He was the king’s right hand!

But how long could that last? He could have died in the next battle! He could have been the victim of political assassination!

No matter how high you reach in this life, you’ll not stay there forever, you can fall at any moment.

Let’s not forget the words of Daniel to the powerful king of Babylon:

Daniel 2:21 NASB95

“It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.

God can take away your life at any moment:

Job 34:20 NASB95

“In a moment they die, and at midnight People are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without a hand.

Job 34:24 NASB95

“He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place.

Health is invaluable.

The Aramean army hero had a serious problem: he suffered a serious disease: leprosy. At that time, an incurable contagious disease! The doctors of that time could not cure it.

Leprosy was considered a curse or a punishment from God. Only God could heal the lepers!

The disease eventually would make this commander an useless warrior! Why? The lose of the fingers was one of the first consequences of the disease. How could he hold a sword or the bow?

Not only that, he was destined to be killed by the disease. It was only a matter of time!

The hope of the Aramean king was that the king of Israel would heal Naaman. He wrote to the king of Israel and said in his letter, “this is my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.”

The reaction of the king of Israel was right: “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away?” The king was acknowledging that only God is the giver of health and life!

One of the ironies of life is that many people waste their health and the best of their life trying to make money or becoming powerful; and then spent that money trying to recover health. Isn’t it better to be healthy than wealthy?

The most important asset in a man’s life is his health! It is invaluable! You cannot buy it! It is a gift from God! Take good care of it!

Life is more important than money.

Living poorly is better than dying wealthy.

He was willing to pay an exorbitant amount for his healing (equivalent to $5 million now).

While we have life, there is hope,” (“Mientras hay vida, hay esperanza”). That’s what Solomon meant when he wrote:

Ecclesiastes 9:4 NASB95

For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion.

If you were to ask any man that is facing death, do you want to be a live dog or a dead lion, What do you think they will answer?

Greed may destroy you.

Naaman offer the $5 million to Elisha as a show of gratitude.

But a true man of God does not help the people for the gifts or rewards he may receive from those he helps. Elisha refused to accept the gifts that Naaman offered him, despite Naaman’s insistence.

“Now I know there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts. And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.” 15-16

Unfortunately, there is always someone who wants to take advantage of man’s crisis: that was Gehazi, Elisha’s servant!

Illust. A doctor is facing 20 years for selling useless products to heal those with COVID19 or protect them from contagious.

Greed has destroyed the testimony of many who were considered men of God, but that, eventually, became worshippers of Mammon instead of God.

Those are the men who “suppose that godliness is a mean of gain” and did not heed the warning:

1 Timothy 6:9–10 NASB95

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Gehazi chased Naaman and, pretending to be sent by Elisha, told him a story of need.

He wanted half of the silver ($100,000), but Naaman insisted on giving him all the silver. Gehazi hid the money! 23-24

That was his destruction: The curse of Naaman was placed on Gehazi.

Living requires faith.

Illnesses, difficulties, and trials are opportunities to test our faith.

To exist, you do not need faith; but to live, to enjoy life you must have faith.

He was willing to listen to his servant who was a woman of faith. He had compassion for his master and told him where to find cure. 2-3

Faith to believe what seems illogical.

Naaman expected to be heal in his own way. 11 He got upset because it was not done according to what he expected.

Does it happen to you? If you are in need of help, do not insist that people do it your way. If you want it your way, do it yourself!

He was also upset about the instruction given to him. 12

He needed someone to make him reason: his officers. 13

The blessings comes when we follow the instructions of God. 14

Faith to follow God’s instructions.

The man of God was willing to help them. 7-8

That’s the nature of ministry!

Elisha did not meet Naaman; he just send the instruction to follow. 10

He is not going to be present all the time, but always available to tell you what to do in times of need.

Elisha tested Naaman’s faith. 10b