Satisfaction with a clear conscience is better than

greed that prevents you from doing things honestly.

The prophet Elisha refused Naaman's gifts, but Elisha's servant Gehazi

chased after Naaman to get something from him.

He lied, saying, "My master has sent me to say,

'Two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived.

Please give them 34 kilograms of silver and two sets of clothing.'"

So Naaman gave him 68 kilograms of silver and two sets of clothing,

and he sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi.

"When they reached the hill near Elisha's house,

Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent them back.

Then he hid the items in his house" (2 Kings 5:16, 20-24).

When I reflect on this passage,

I am reminded of Achan during the time of Joshua.

After the Israelites conquered the city of Jericho,

Achan disobeyed God's command by hiding the spoils,

 thereby sinning against God (Joshua 7:1).

Thinking of Achan and Gehazi brings to mind James 1:15:

"Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;

and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."  

Additionally, as I reflect on this passage,

I believe that greed leads to lying and hiding.

Contentment without a guilty conscience

is better than greed that cannot be conducted openly.