There's an interesting story in II Kings 5 about Elisha, his attendant Gehazi, and a Syrian (specifically from Aram) military captain called Naaman. One of the major reasons this story is so good for us to know about is that it reveals to us how to recognize a false prophet instantly. Even Naaman, the man who was cured of leprosy, thought he was obliged to pay for the services of one of God's true prophets. He came to Elisha, on the advice of a Jewish servant girl he had captured earlier who told him there was a prophet in Israel who could cure him of his leprosy. Of course, Naaman's first mistake was his failure to listen to the servant girl. He expected the king of Israel would be the one who would be great enough to cure him, so he went to the king with his bountiful gift for his expected services. The king of Israel became quite frightened and thought the king of Aram must be trying to incite a war against him for suggesting he should be able to cure one of his captains of leprosy. Somehow Elisha found out about it and sent word to the king of Israel to send Naaman to him.
Naaman came to Elisha, and, to make a long story short, Elisha cured him of his leprosy. Upon being cured Naaman offered Elisha quite a bountiful treasure as payment for his cure. Elisha refused the payment and sent Naaman on his way. The story continues; Gehazi, Elisha's servant, was shocked and disappointed that Elisha did not take any of the bounty Naaman had offered him. He chased after Naaman and made up a story to get at least some of the treasure Naaman had intended to give to Elisha. Of course, being a prophet, Elisha knew what Gehazi did and, upon his return, pronounced the curse of leprosy to come upon him for his greed and lying acts. It's an interesting story the point of which is twofold. God heals anyway He wants; and His servants the prophets must not take payment for simply pronouncing His will upon anyone. As His prophet, all Elisha did was to direct Naaman to go the Jordan river and wash seven times to be healed.
It is crucial we not miss the point of this story. It does not suggest we should not support with our finances God's prophets, apostles, evangelists, and pastor/teachers. The New Testament teaches the opposite is true (I Tim. 5:7); however, it does teach us that our prophets, apostles, evangelists, and pastor/teachers should not be seeking payment for specific acts or specific things they teach or inform us about. A true prophet should not be out to make a profit for being one. The reason this is so very crucial to know today is that, probably more than any other time in the history of this planet, the airwaves are filled with false prophets making huge profits peddling the word of God as if it were a cheap dime novel. And the truly incredible thing is that millions of people are swallowing their phony gospel message and don't hesitate to send in money to help pay for their multi-million dollar estates and private jets. Every single solitary one of those jetsetter preachers are wolves, and they aren't even dressed in sheep's clothing. They're wolves dressed as wolves and the masses love them so. They make no pretense to be humble servants of the living God. II Timothy 3:1-8 is upon us,
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal,]haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate]weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It is not surprise that so many are so easily duped by them because God's word warns us over and again that this would be happening in the final hours of history as we know it. 2 Thessalonians 2:10, for example, tells us, ". . . and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved." The masses are being easily deceived because it is not the truth they seek. They are willing to forfeit their soul to gain the riches they so desperately desire. Their prophets seek only profit and they love it so.
If you've been duped by one of these fools, count your blessings if you now at last have had your eyes opened. Fall on your knees, believe the true gospel, confess Jesus as Lord, believe God raised Him from the dead, get baptized by immersion, repent of your sin, bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance, and take up your cross daily to follow Jesus (Matt. and Luke 3; Rom. 10:9; Acts 2:38; Luke 9:23). Finally, please contact me if I can be of further service to help you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have dozens of topical studies and free resources that will grow you in Christ quickly and ground you solidly in His word. Shalom!
