One-Minute Testimonials s2

Character in Real Life ONE-MINUTE TESTIMONIALS For SECURITY vs Anxiety

Faith Committee, Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky www.charactercincinnati.org

Security is structuring my life around that which cannot be destroyed or taken away.

ELISHA AND GEHAZI By Steve Withrow Pastor, Editor – Charlotte, NC

In II Kings chapter five the Bible contrasts two men, Elisha the prophet, and his attendant, Gehazi. Elisha placed his SECURITY in God, Gehazi in riches.

Naaman, a powerful Syrian General who was a leper approached Elisha for healing. The Israelite King was distraught, thinking Naaman’s request to be so obviously impossible it must be a preamble to war. But Elisha rested so SECURE in the Lord’s ability that he almost seemed austere. He refused to dignify Naaman’s pompous arrival by coming out to greet him.

Naaman rested SECURE in his status and ability to pay handsomely for his healing. His real problem was pride so Elisha devised a course of healing that would necessitate humility, and Naaman was miraculously healed.

He was so grateful he tried to lavish Elisha with gifts, but Elisha refused, to protect Naaman from any notion that his own merit had purchased his healing. Though Elisha was poor he did not need Naaman’s riches. He was SECURE in the Lord’s provision.

Sadly, Gehazi was not so SECURE, either in principle or in faith. After Naaman departed Gehazi caught up him and concocted a lie in Elisha’s name to extract silver and raiment. When Elisha found out he sadly said:

“Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes…? Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cleave to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from Elisha’s presence a leper as white as snow. (II Kings 6:26-27)

Security is knowing that God will never leave us nor forsake us and that whatever we give to Him will become an eternal treasure.