Pastor Andy Falleur examines 2 Kings 5 through the lens of Elisha's scrutinizing question to his servant Gehazi: "Is it time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?" The chapter presents three types of people: Naaman, the Syrian with leprosy, who experienced the miracle of "wash and be clean" by coming to God's prophet; Gehazi who had a front-row seat to the Lord's power and could have asked for a double portion like Elisha did, but instead chased after the world and contracted leprosy himself; and the unnamed servant girl who knew what time it was and rescued her captors by pointing them to God despite having every right to be bitter. Jesus referenced this story in Luke 4 and the people threw Him out of the city. Here's the moral of the story: The time is always TODAY (2 Corinthians 6:2)—time to get busy for the Lord, pursue love and spiritual gifts, do the greater works Jesus promised, and be faithful witnesses who point people to Jesus regardless of our circumstances.

Exact Scripture References:

2 Kings 5:1-27 (entire chapter)

2 Kings 5:26 (focus verse)

Luke 4:16-30

2 Corinthians 6:2

Hebrews 3:12-13

Acts 2:42

Hebrews 12:1-2 (referenced - lay aside every weight)

John 14:12-14

1 Corinthians 14:1

Matthew 22:37-39 (referenced - love God and neighbor)

Keywords and Topics:

Knowing what time it is

Gehazi's greed and missed opportunity

Naaman's healing from leprosy

The unnamed servant girl's witness

Leprosy as analogy for sin

Priorities and eternal perspective

Today is the day of salvation

Society's decline and young men

Being distracted by stuff versus doing God's work

Front-row seat to God's power

The deceitfulness of sin

Daily exhortation and community

Greater works than Jesus

Pursuing love and spiritual gifts

Rescuing your captors by pointing to Jesus