The prophet Elisha’s servant had a
horrible case of wantitis. “Wantitis” is not simply a symptom of greed, but something
much worse that easily distorts our perspective and warps our soul –
DISCONTENTMENT!
We first meet up with Gehazi while
Elisha was staying at a couple’s home in Shunem. Elisha frequently passed through the area and
the wife truly had the gift of hospitality. Elisha wanted to do something for
them. Gehazi came up with the wonderful
suggestion of a son. This was something
only a prophet with definite God-connection can promise, and sure enough the
following year the wife gave birth to a baby boy. Unfortunately when the boy
was old enough to help out in the field, he was struck with a massive headache
and died. When Elisha was told that the boy was dead, he handed Gehazi his staff,
told him to run back lay the staff on the child’s face. Gehazi did everything Elisha told him, but
it didn’t work! When Elisha and the
boy’s mother arrive a short time later, he sent Gehazi out of the room and
closed the door. Through Elisha, God
restored the life of the child. Gehazi
was given the opportunity to be a part of this miracle by being the one to
share this wonderful news with the boy’s mom, however his role was within his
role of a servant. (2 Kings 4:8-37)
Warped perspective of our God-given roles = Discontentment
Elisha went back to Gilgal where
he resumed one of his roles as a teacher in the prophet school. One day he asked Gehazi to fix the students a
big pot of stew. Because of a famine in
the land, it was truly potluck – whatever he could find. Apparently, when Gehazi was busy doing something
else, one of the students in his zeal decided to add some wild gourds to the
stew. The “extra” turned out to be poisonous.
Fortunately, the students recognized the foul ingredient and cried out,
“There is death in the pot.” You can
well guess who took the blame. Since
this was all there was to eat, Elisha miraculously intervened by throwing meal
into the pot making it edible. Gehazi served the stew to sceptism and
snickers. (2 Kings 4:38-41)
Warped perspective on the appreciation we deserve = Discontentment
Later a generous man showed up with a gift of 20 loaves of
barley bread and a basket full of fresh corn on the cob. After who knows how long a famine, finally a
descent meal! But Elisha told Gehazi to
give it to the hungry people. Gehazi
pointed out that there were more than 100 people, and since there was not
enough to feed them all, they might as well as keep it all for themselves. Besides, it was given to them! Why did HE have to feed the crowd? Elisha knew God was not limited by visible
resources. Not only would there be enough, but leftovers. So Gehazi reluctantly did what he was told
and sure enough there was still some left for the two of them. But somehow enough was not enough for Gehazi.
(2 Kings 4:42-44)
Warped perspective on demands made of us
and the sacrifices required =
Discontentment
The top ranking Syrian commander
named Naaman had come seeking healing from the horrible disease of leprosy. He
arrived at Elisha’s house with his horses and chariots, which were probably
hauling U-hauls. He came loaded, ready and willing to pay for the cure – over
900 pounds of silver, nearly 200 pounds of gold and a complete designer
wardrobe. Elisha didn’t even come to
the door, but told Gehazi to tell this powerful man to go down to the filthy
Jordan River, dip seven times and as a response to his faithful actions he would
be healed of the leprosy. Of course
Naaman was furious at such a ridiculous “cure” and you can imagine who got the
first wave of his fury. Naaman’s
servants managed to calm him down and convince him to try it. It took all seven dips, but sure enough after
the last time his skin was like a newborn’s.
He went back to Elisha and begged him to except his gift, but Elisha
still refused. Gehazi had had enough! (2 Kings 5)
Warped perspective of what is rightfully deserved = Discontentment
Like Gehazi, when you start
keeping track of the sacrifices, injustices, impositions and others
indebtedness to you, the tally will always add up to “You owe me!” “I deserve __________! “ Everything is filtered
through how it impacts self and leaves a life clogged with discontentment and
entitlement. When we think we qualify or deserve preferential treatment from
God because of ALL we do for Him or all we don’t do because we are
“Christians”, we can get the attitude that God owes us. That was the root of Gehazi’s
discontentment. Gehazi had faithfully
served the Man of God, for years and years.
Gehazi was the one who ALWAYS did the dirty work. Gehazi decided he deserved some
reimbursement. God owed him.
The biggest danger of being
discontent is the overwhelming temptation to take the matter into our own hands. We justify selfish and self-serving attitudes
and behavior. And that is exactly what
Gehazi did. He snuck out and went after
Naaman. When he caught up, he made up a
story that Elisha had forgotten that two new students were coming and had
changed his mind. He would take a little
of that silver and a couple outfits after all.
Naaman was thrilled to give Gehazi something for Elisha. Unfortunately, Gehazi wasn’t only stealing
from Naaman, but from his master whose reputation was soiled, and from God who
no longer was given credit for the healing being a gift of grace.
Our solutions to discontentment often rob others of what is rightfully theirs.
Of course when he got back not
only had he been missed and had to lie about that, but he also ended up having
to hide the silver and clothes. How
would he explain clothes in the latest Syrian fashion and extra spending money?
He couldn’t enjoy what he thought would satisfy him. He also found out hiding things from prophet
of God doesn’t work either. (Read 2 Kings 5:26) Did you notice that Elisha started with what Gehazi had taken from
Naaman and kept adding on to the list?
That’s what happens. It snow
balls. As long as our pursuit is to feel
good, look good or be good in our own eyes, as well as others, we will continue to be discontent and keeping
striving for more and more and more and more.
Our solution to discontentment will never achieve contentment.
Contentment is not purchased,
earned or received as a gift. It
definitely cannot be stolen. (Read Philippians 4:10-13)
Contentment is learned!
Contentment is not realized only
when everything is perfect and problem free, nor is contentment the resignation
to status quo, that you are just stuck with it.
The Greek word for contentment is arkeo,
which means “sufficiency = that something is enough.”
Contentment is learning that God is sufficient to meet your every need.
Whether they be physical,
emotional, mental, financial, spiritual …
God is able and willing! (Read
Philippians 4:19 and 1 Timothy 6:6) Learning
this truth is sometimes a hard lesson.
It is learned foremost as we discover our weakness and
inadequacies. But rather than becoming
discontent, we choose to become dependent on Jesus. (Read 2 Corinthians 12:9)
Contentment is learned when we consistently add up the blessings.
Gehazi completely missed out on
what an awesome privilege it was to be involved first hand in all the amazing
things God did right there around him and involving him. God is doing amazing things in and around
each one of our lives, but if we aren’t looking for them, if our focus is on
the cost, the inconvenience, the exhausting, the injustice, the illogical-ness,
the everyday-ness, the here-we-go-again-ness, we will miss the amazement God is
working in, around and through us. He is doing it so we can be amazed. There is
no room for discontentment in amazement. There is no room for self-ness in
amazement either. Ephesians 1:3 tells us
that we have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ
Jesus. Don’t let discontentment rob you
of discovering, enjoying and being amazed by every single one. God desires to
bless you with satisfying peace of contentment and a day, a life filled with
amazement.
Making It Personal
Do an honest self-assessment: Are you discontent?
Why or in what regards?
Can you identify a warped perception on your role,
responsibilities, requirements or rights?
How well are your attempts to counteract discontent
working for you?
Who might you be impacting with your discontentment?
Learning is a choice.
What can you do today to begin the process of learning contentment?
