Text: 2 Kings 5:20-27
Memory Verse: ”But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God,said,’Look,my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought :but, as the Lord lives, I will run after him, and take something of him”’ (2 Kings 5:20).
Several years ago a brother secured an appointment with a State government establishment with the help of a man who provided the information. In return he appreciated his benefactor. After retirement, on receiving his gratuity, he generously appreciated the man in cash and kind. The benefactor, not content, pressured the brother for more gifts to the point of frustration. This was a display of entitlement mentality. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, also had an entitlement mentality. He was not happy that his master, Elisha, could offer free healing service to Naaman. He felt that his master was entitled to a reward from him, and to achieve this, he lied (2 Kings 5:22).
Do you have an entitlement mentality? You are not expected to demand for gifts before or after helping people. Whatever you have was first given to you and whatever position you occupy is due to the mercy of God. The Lord Jesus Christ has instructed us to give freely, since we also have received freely. Helping someone should not be done with any strings attached.
As you render help to people, the Lord God Almighty will reward you abundantly. If the beneficiary of your service willingly shows appreciation, that could be accepted since he was not coerced or pressurised to do so. You should do away with entitlement mentality because it could lead to actions that may offend God and man. God, the rewarder, will duly reward you and not forget your labour of love.
Prayer Points:
1. Thank You, Lord, for using me to help others.
2. Father, help me to overcome every form of entitlement mentality.