SECTION A: THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (A) How was greed demonstrated in the life of Gehazi? (B) Give three areas in the society where greed is prevalent.

(a) How greed was demonstrated in the life of Gehazi (2 Kings 5)

• Gehazi was the servant of the prophet Elisha. After Elisha had healed Naaman the Syrian commander of leprosy, Naaman offered a reward, but Elisha firmly refused to take anything, insisting he would receive nothing.
• Gehazi, coveting the gifts, said to himself that his master had spared Naaman by not accepting what he brought, and vowed, "As the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him."
• He pursued Naaman, who came down from his chariot to meet him. Gehazi lied, saying that Elisha had sent him because two young men of the sons of the prophets had just come, and requested a talent of silver and two festal garments for them.
• Naaman gladly gave him two talents of silver, bound in two bags, with two garments, and had them carried before Gehazi.
• Gehazi hid the goods in the house and dismissed the men, then went in and stood before his master, pretending he had gone nowhere.
• Elisha asked, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" and revealed that his spirit had gone with him. He rebuked Gehazi, asking whether it was a time to accept money, garments, olive orchards, vineyards, sheep, oxen and servants.
• As punishment for his greed and deceit, the leprosy of Naaman clung to Gehazi and his descendants for ever, and he went out from Elisha's presence a leper, as white as snow.

(b) Three areas in society where greed is prevalent

1. Politics and public office, where leaders embezzle public funds and misappropriate resources.
2. Business and commerce, through hoarding, cheating, exorbitant pricing and fraud.
3. Religious and professional circles, where some exploit followers or clients for selfish material gain.