Date: April 12, 2023|Series: Youth for Jesus|Number: Vol. 5, No. 48
But Elisha said to him, “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?”” (2Kings 5:26NIV)
Those were Elisha’s words to his servant, Gehazi, after the latter had run after Naaman the Syrian to take some gifts from him, gifts that his master had initially rejected. And from what this man of God said to him, we can tell that there is a time to receive gifts and there is a time not to receive gifts. Remember that Solomon says there is time for everything, a season for every activity under the sun. And it is only when things are done at the right time that they are beautiful. (Cf. Ecc 3:1-11)
Gehazi received gifts from Naaman at a wrong time. And he and his descendants became carriers of the leprosy that had left the man. But what made it wrong for him to receive gifts from that man at that time? At least, from what we see in the bible, people had brought Elisha, Gehazi’s master, gifts in the past and he had collected them (2Kings 4:42). Why then did he refuse to collect Naaman’s gifts on that occasion, even though they were most likely of more value than any of the gifts he may have received in the past?
Well, the simple reason Elisha would not collect those gifts from Naaman was that he wanted him to know that his healing was a gift from God and that there was nothing he could give to pay for it. Jesus said this to His disciples concerning the healing authority He had given them: “Freely you have received, freely give.” So, when someone’s gift to us will constitute a payment for the gift of God, that is a time not to receive. And if we foolishly or arrogantly receive what they are offering, we, like Gehazi, may just end up becoming bearers of the problems God has solved in their lives.
Also, when someone’s gift to us will result in unwarranted boasting from them or make them want to assume the place of God in our lives, that is a time not to receive gifts. After Abraham had saved the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their allies from their enemies and recovered their possessions for them, the king of Sodom told him to keep all the possessions he brought back and give him only his people. But Abraham said ‘No’ to his offer. (Cf. Gen 14:1-21)
Why did Abraham refuse that king’s offer? According to him, it was because the man one day would most likely say, “I made Abraham rich.” And would that be true? No! God had already blessed him and given him great riches. So, there was nothing anybody could add to his life to make him rich or great. But if he kept taking gifts from everyone every time, it would not be long before some people would start putting themselves in God’s place in His life. And that would be his fault.
In like manner, if you do not want to give anyone a reason to try to dethrone God in your life, know when to receive gifts from people and when not to receive gifts from them. There are people who love to boast about every little thing they do for others, even when God could have used a thousand and one different people to do the same thing. Mark such people and take from them only payments for goods sold to them or services rendered to them. Otherwise, you may someday be shocked to find out they have been taken credit for what God has done in your life.
Then when someone’s gift is intended to buy favour, that is another time not to accept gifts. Gifts intended to curry favour are nothing but a bribe. And the bible says, “A bribe is a charm that blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.” So, watch out for those who may someday want to twist your mind with their gifts and be ready to politely refuse their so-called generosity. Otherwise, the price you will pay for what they are giving you today may be your very life. (Cf. Exodus 23:8; Deut 16:19; Prov 17:18)
When Jacob offered his brother Esau gifts years after they had parted, he would not accept them from him. Instead, he told him to keep his gifts for himself because he had enough. And Jacob had to plead with him again and again before he accepted them. Why did Esau respond that way? It was because he found it embarrassing that his own brother would want to pay him not to harm him. And if Esau, a man that the bible describes as godless, had enough sense to know when not to receive gifts, even from his own blood, we who are children of God have no excuse not to gain enough spiritual sense to know when to receive gifts and when not to receive them.
You will do well, then, to pay close attention to the truths I have brought you from Scriptures on this matter and be determined to apply them to your life. That may just be the difference between life and death for you someday. Cheers!
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