‘하나님이 은혜 주심은 하나님을 알게하려 하심이다’
본문관찰과 묵상
아람왕의 군대장관이 나병을 치료받자 엘리사에게 금은 보화를 드렸다. 그러나 엘리사는 거절했다. 돈이 목적이 아니었기 때문이다. 엘리사는 기적을 통하여 하나님을 증거하였고 나아만은 하나님을 믿었다.
QT를 통하여 듣는 주님의 음성
나아만은 이스라엘의 흙을 노새 2마리에 싣고 가서 희생제사를 여호와께 드리기로 결단하였다. 게하시는 탐욕으로 가서 돈을 받아왔다. 나병이 그와 자손에게 영원히 임하였다. 기적을 베푸심은 하나님이 누구인지 알게 하려 함이다. 그것을 통하여 돈을 받는 것은 주의 종이 타락하는 첩경이 된다.
결단과 적용
나도 많은때 성도들과 또한 특별히 외부에 부흥집회를 나가면 하나님이 큰 은혜를 주실때가 많았다. 그러면 성도들이 감사하다고 양복도 맞춰주고 선물도 주고 돈도 줄때가 많이 있었다. 한국의 정서상 거절도 못하고 받았다. 그러나 그것을 그대로 다시 다른 사람들에게 나누어 주며 살았다. 집회 사례비도 한번도 봉투를 열지않고 교회에 드렸다. 이렇게 해도 엘리사처럼 가난을 택하여 살지는 못했음을 고백한다. 그래서 죽기전에 내게 있는 것을 다 주님께 드리며 살아간다. 살고있는 집도 은퇴연금 받은것도 다 드렸다.
‘God blesses me to know who God is.’
II Kings. 5:15-27
Observation and meditation on the text
When Naaman commander of the army of the king of Aram was healed by Elisha from his leprosy, he gave a great sum of money and gifts. However, Elisha refused to receive it, because money was not his purpose. Elisha witnessed who God was through the miracle so that Naaman might believe in God.
I hear the voice of the Lord through QT
Naaman asked Elisha to give him earth of Israel corresponding in as amount as for two mules could carry so that he could offer sacrifices only to the Lord. On the contrary, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant went to Naaman and asked for money. As a result, Gehazi was cursed and Naaman’s leprosy clung to him and to his descendants forever. God brings about miracles so that people may know who God is. If I receive money for bringing about miracles, it will be a short cut for corruption and failure.
Decisions and applications
I have experienced a lot of blessings that came upon people when I preached during conducting revivals not only our church members but also people outside of my church. Then, those who were blessed gave me suits, gifts, and money out of gratitude. Knowing Korean culture, I could not refuse it, because it may humiliate them. However, when I came back home, I tried to do my best to give them away to other people who were in need. I have never opened the envelope of honorarium that I have received and gave it to church as offering. I confess that even though I tried my best, I could not live like Elisha who deliberately chose to live in poverty. Therefore, I am doing my best to give away whatever I have received from God. I have given not only my house but also my retirement pension to church. I live day by day happily nowadays.