2 Kings 5:19-27 ESV

But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 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 to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.

THE EVIL OF GREED.

Obviously, Gehazi had not embraced the spiritual values of his master, Elisha. He went after Naaman and manufactured a story that his master had changed his mind. What he asked for did not arouse suspicion. It was a clever ploy in not asking too much. He did not ask for gold but one talent of silver and two changes of clothing. Greed makes one clever in making cover up stories. Let us be aware that when we are tempted to lie against God, Satan is there to help us. He is the father of lies.[John 8:44]

And, Naaman, for having the pleasure to bless Elisha, eagerly dipped into his treasures and give two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing instead. Presumably, Gehazi had calculated that Elisha won’t know anything about his clandestine acts. But he was wrong. When asked by Elisha where he has been, he denied vehemently. One sin breeds to another.

Clearly, Gehazi took an opportunity as a servant of Elisha as a means of gain. He thought he could continue to serve under Elisha with greed in his heart for material things. Is godliness a means of gain? Certainly not. Paul said, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”[1 Tim 6:6-9]

We couldn’t serve God and mammon [money] at the same time, could we? Jesus had said plainly, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” [Matt 6:24] Simply said, we must not use God for money. Rather, we should use money to serve God, and not the other way around.

Ultimately, Gehazi had reaped what he had sown. What he got couldn’t compensate the punishment he received. Yes, he got Naaman’s silver. But, he also got his leprosy that was passed unto his descendants. Like Achan’s punishment of losing his clan, the price of greed is still equally costly to Naaman and his family. While Achan and family were stoned to death, he and his family were plagued with leprosy.

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