2 Kings 5:16
“But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Elisha refuses Naaman's gifts, standing before God with integrity.
Context
Naaman, the healed Syrian commander, offers wealth and gratitude to Elisha. Elisha steadfastly declines.
What Does 2 Kings 5:16 Mean?
Elisha stands unmoved as Naaman presses gifts upon him—silver, gold, fine garments—the tokens of a commander used to getting his way. But Elisha will not take them. His healing came from God's power, not his own merit or trade. He speaks the formula of the prophetic office: 'As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand.' He lives in God's presence, accountable to One greater than Naaman's wealth or gratitude.
When we serve Christ's kingdom, we serve not for reward but for love. Elisha models what integrity looks like when the world offers us its best. He refuses not out of pride but out of clarity: this healing belongs to God alone. We, too, are called to a similar single-heartedness when tempted by the world's currencies.
Application
When we have done what God has asked and someone wants to repay us, remember that all good work flows from God. Refuse the temptation to take credit or seek reward beyond the joy of serving.