DAILY MANNA
SATURDAY MAY 22, 2021
THE COST OF GREED
TEXT: 2 Kings 5:20-27
KEY VERSE:
“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.” - (2 Kings 5:20)
In a juvenile magazine, a story was once told to illustrate how covetousness and greed can ruin someone’s life and how it is impossible to continue to hide and cover up one’s sin for long. The story was about a snake named “Sally”, which always sneaked into a farmer’s farm to steal eggs from his pen every night. When the farmer came to his farm each morning, he always noticed that some of his eggs were missing but his pen showed no sign of someone breaking into it. Guessing that the culprit must be a snake which always sneaked in through a tiny hole in the pen, he decided to leave some boiled eggs in the pen. As usual, the snake sneaked in and helped itself. But while trying to sneak away through the tiny hole, it got stuck because of the boiled eggs in its stomach which would not break. It remained there till the farmer came and killed it. No matter how long one tries to hide his sins, he would be found out one day!
Gehazi must have considered his master, Elisha, foolish for refusing the gifts that Naaman brought for healing him of his leprosy. Determinedly, he ran after Naaman, lied to him that Elisha had a second thought about the gifts and had requested to be given some to give as a present to some young men who had come to visit him. Elisha exposed him and revealed how he planned to invest the booties. He was then cursed with leprosy.
Covetousness has ruined so many lives. Many have had their chances of greatness dashed due to eagerness to make fast gains. They falsify accounts and change prices of goods.
But as believers, we should understand that godly contentment remains the antidote to covetousness and greed.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Be content with what you have to avoid the regrets of covetousness.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 3-5
HIGHER EVERYDAY
SATURDAY MAY 22, 2021
MISERY FOR MISSING THE MARK
BIBLE TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 28:1-5
MEMORY VERSE: "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (HEBREWS 10:39).
To miss the mark is to sin. It is to fall short of God's glory. Young Ahaz had the privilege of reigning in place of his father, Jotham, who faithfully walked before the Lord. However, Ahaz was unlike his late father; he did evil in the sight of the Lord, walking in the ways of the heathen nations by practicing their sorceries and abominations. These provoked God and He delivered him into the hands of his enemies. This is a practical lesson to all Christians today; we are to walk in righteousness and follow the footsteps of our faithful fathers and mothers. We are to learn from them and obey God in all things. Do not follow the ways of the multitude to do evil as Ahaz did.
Christian youths are to beware of the influence of bad peers, worldly music, movies and all forms of ungodly acts that lead to shame, disgrace and eternal death. Only those that walk perfectly before God in life and conduct will be worthy to reign with Christ.
QUOTE: Beware of the influence of bad peers.
CHALLENGE: Misery awaits those that miss the mark.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to always walk with You faithfully.