Motives are Seen by God - 2 Kings 1-5

2 Kings 5:21-27 (ESV Strong's)
21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling  you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.

Motives are Seen by God

In the above story we have the follow up of the healing of the rich man, Naaman.   Naaman, helped of his disease, is willing to pay big money to Elisha for the healing.   But, Elisha rejects this payment and sends Naaman on his way.  Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, is not about, however, to miss an opportunity.  He sees the possibility of securing the goods from Naaman.   His elaborate story seems plausible to Naaman.  Elisha has suddenly discovered the need to clothe and care for two additional prophets in his midst.  So, Elisha changes his mind about payment. Naaman, being more than willing to express things, is duped into giving “reasonable” goods.  In 2 Kings 4:27 Gehazi learned that God does keep things from Elisha.  He must have assumed this plot would be one of those things God would hide, as well.  But, God didn’t.  Everything is open before His eyes.  Note what the writer of Hebrews states:

Hebrews 4:12-13 (ESV Strong's)
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

God does not miss our motives.   God sees what is in our hearts.  He works with our hearts over our behaviors:

Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV Strong's)
Lust
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

We ought not try to sell God’s power and truth.  God knows our motives.