Flawed

We play the game well, sometimes. Christianity, spirituality, devoutness... Everyone seeks something, the question is 'what'. I like watching the NFL, for obvious reasons. What I wonder the most, however, is how much glory can a man gain for himself on his own merit? A few million dollars worth?

I'd love to be that gifted, physically, but I also wonder if I'd have the humility to give God the glory and seek Him, despite money or fame or anything else. Being a computer geek takes that pressure off...

This spans beyond the physical, naturally. Many wish they could have what their pastor has, or their spiritual mentor, but few are willing to pay the price. The anointing has a price. Trials, heartaches, toil in the spirit, fighting lions and bears in private - this all takes a toll. It's not unlike working out in the gym after hours.

For Elisha, he sought Godliness. When offered, he asked for a double portion from his mentor, Elijah. (Why do we only ask for double? Are we just lazy?) As we all know, he got his wish, but HOW? For one, he left his little prophet buddies on the opposite side of the Jordan river (not everyone is going to be willing to cross the Jordan with you, after all) and he did not let Elijah out of his sight. He received the double portion. Incidently, Elijah supposedly did 16 publicized miracles, and Elisha was ultimately responsible for 32. I'll let someone else do that homework.

Now... Gehazi 'should' have been in prime position to do the very same thing. Maybe even a TRIPLE OR QUADRUPLE portion from his master Elisha! Ask. Seek. That type of thing. But Gehazi had a hangup. He was flawed.

2Ki 5:20-27
(20) when Gehazi, servant to Elisha the Holy Man, said to himself, "My master has let this Aramean Naaman slip through his fingers without so much as a thank-you. By the living GOD, I'm going after him to get something or other from him!"
(21) And Gehazi took off after Naaman. Naaman saw him running after him and jumped down from his chariot to greet him, "Is something wrong?"
(22) "Nothing's wrong, but something's come up. My master sent me to tell you: 'Two young men just showed up from the hill country of Ephraim, brothers from the guild of the prophets. Supply their needs with a gift of seventy-five pounds of silver and a couple of sets of clothes.'"
(23) Naaman said, "Of course, how about a hundred and fifty pounds?" Naaman insisted. He tied up the money in two sacks and gave him the two sets of clothes; he even gave him two servants to carry the gifts back with him.
(24) When they got to the fort on the hill, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants, stored them inside, then sent the servants back.
(25) He returned and stood before his master. Elisha said, "So what have you been up to, Gehazi?" "Nothing much," he said.
(26) Elisha said, "Didn't you know I was with you in spirit when that man stepped down from his chariot to greet you? Tell me, is this a time to look after yourself, lining your pockets with gifts?
(27) Naaman's skin disease will now infect you and your family, with no relief in sight." Gehazi walked away, his skin flaky and white like snow.

In this case, Gehazi was ruled by greed, and that prevented him from ever receiving the anointing of God. It could have been imparted to him, but he never put himself in a position to receive it. Rather, he received judgment.

We may or may not follow someone like Elijah or Elisha, but who 'do' we follow? Someone with a checkbook or someone with an anointing? Are we in a position to receive it? Double? Triple? More? Do we have a character flaw that needs to be ripped out? God is able, if we are willing.