Narrate the story of Naaman and Gehazi and state the consequences of greed

Answer Details

The story of Naaman and Gehazi, and the consequences of greed (2 Kings 5)

Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Syria (Aram), a great and honourable man, but he was a leper. A captive Israelite girl who served his wife told her that a prophet in Samaria could cure him. With the king of Syria's letter and rich gifts of silver, gold and garments, Naaman went to the king of Israel, who tore his clothes in fear. Elisha the prophet sent word, "Let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel."

When Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots, Elisha did not even come out but sent a messenger, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored." Naaman was angry, expecting a dramatic gesture, and complained that the rivers of Damascus were better than the waters of Israel. But his servants persuaded him, so he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, and his flesh became clean like that of a little child. He returned to Elisha, confessed that there was no God in all the earth except in Israel, and offered a gift, which Elisha firmly refused.

Gehazi and greed: Gehazi, Elisha's servant, coveted the gifts his master had refused. He ran after Naaman and lied, saying that two young prophets had come and that Elisha wanted a talent of silver and two changes of garments for them. Naaman gladly gave two talents of silver and two garments. Gehazi hid the goods and returned to stand before his master. Elisha asked where he had been, and Gehazi lied again, "Your servant went nowhere." Elisha rebuked him: "Did not my heart go with you...? Is it a time to receive money and garments...?" As punishment, "the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." Gehazi went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.

Consequences of greed:

• Greed led Gehazi into lying and deceit.
• It brought upon him the very leprosy from which Naaman had been cleansed, and upon his descendants forever.
• He lost his honourable position and good standing with the prophet.
• The account teaches that covetousness, lying and abuse of a sacred office attract God's judgement, and that His gifts must not be turned into personal gain.