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Day 4: Goodness doesn't bow to success.
I love how deadpan Elisha is. The king of Israel is tearing his robes. Naaman himself is in a rage, but Elisha's completely unfazed.
Elisha, godly man that he is, is no respecter of persons. In other words, he doesn't show favoritism. The king of Israel is scared of a conflict brewing. Naaman is deeply offended by Elisha's diffidence and seemingly unreasonable request.
Success expects that everyone wants to be successful and to look up to it. But God-focused goodness treats everyone equally. This offends success, which, in its superiority complex, expects preferential treatment.
God doesn't always work in ways we might assume. We can't pigeonhole Him, we can't put Him in a box. He works according to His own schedule, not ours; and we have to get with the program.
'Lord, if we're successful, please don't let us think we deserve better treatment than others. If You're reflecting Your goodness through us, help us not to be daunted by successful people in life. In Your name, amen.'
Do you treat people the same, whether they're successful or not?
Scripture
About this Plan
Success, as defined by the world, is often about being rich and powerful. Success isn't synonymous with Biblical goodness/righteousness, which doesn't require people to be rich and powerful. But are success and goodness necessarily enemies? Let's learn from Syrian army general Naaman how these two characteristics relate.
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