(a) How was greed demonstrated in the Life of Gehazi? [12 marks] (b) Give three areas in the society where greed is prevalent. [3 marks]

Answer Details

(a) How greed was demonstrated in the life of Gehazi (2 Kings 5:15-27)

After Naaman the Syrian was healed of his leprosy, he returned to Elisha and urged him to accept a present. Elisha firmly refused, saying, "As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will receive none," even though Naaman pressed him. Naaman then departed.

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, said to himself, "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." His greed showed itself in the following ways:

• He pursued Naaman secretly, without his master's knowledge or permission.
• When Naaman got down from his chariot to meet him, Gehazi lied, saying his master had sent him because two young men of the sons of the prophets had just come from the hill country of Ephraim, and asked for a talent of silver and two festal garments for them.
• Naaman gladly gave two talents of silver, bound in two bags, and two garments, sending two of his servants to carry them.
• Gehazi took the goods, sent the servants away, hid the treasure in the house, and then went in and stood before his master as though nothing had happened.
• When Elisha asked, "Where have you been, Gehazi?" he lied again, saying, "Your servant went nowhere."

Elisha revealed that his spirit had gone with Gehazi and rebuked him: this was not the time to accept money, garments, olive orchards, vineyards, sheep, oxen and servants. As punishment, 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 government (embezzlement of public funds and abuse of office).
2. Business and commerce (hoarding, cheating in weights and prices, fraud).
3. Religious circles (exploitation of worshippers and misuse of offerings for personal gain). Other examples include the civil service (bribery and corruption) and the family (inheritance disputes).