If They Were Us: Gehazi

Israel had a great prophet in Elisha.

I usually imagine him as a busy prophet with requests exceeding a 9-5 operative timeline.(Hint at government offices).

I imagine he lived a life of seclusion because if he dared be out in the general public’s eye, he would never be able to catch a nap, even. With all this work, he needed a helper and so this is how Gehazi comes into the picture.

We actually do not know too much about Gehazi, but we know that he was always alongside Elisha.

One day, an Aramean army commander called Naaman came to see Elisha for healing. He had leprosy (a big deal back then) and had been told of the God of Israel’s healing power. Elisha healed him and Naaman wanted to gift Elisha for the miracle. Elisha could not accept because, how? To him, that would be like accepting payment for a free supernatural gift. So he asked them to leave in peace. But not Gehazi.

Naaman and his troop were a distance away when they heard panting and shuffling of feet. It was Gehazi.

“Hey, man. What’s up? You good?” Naaman asks as he stops his whole troop.

“Yeah, sure. Uhm. My master unexpectedly got some guests and he sent me here to ask for some of the gifts you had planned to give him.” Gehazi says, looking over his shoulder.

Naaman does not suspect a thing so he freely hand him two talents of silver with two sets of clothing.

Gehazi goes and hides those things in his house and then goes back to Elisha like nothing happened.

I don’t even know how gutsy Gehazi could have been to try lie to someone who talks directly to God. Of course God is going to snitch on you! :D

“ Gehazi. Where have you been?” Elisha asks.

“Your servant didn’t go anywhere.” *insert sheepish chuckle.

“I know what you did. Show’s up.” (Full conversation here)

With this, Elisha pronounced a curse on Gehazi that had his skin turn leprous. And so that was his punishment for greed.

Lesson

There is nothing wrong with receiving gifts in ministry just as there is nothing wrong with being a wealthy Christian. What is wrong is pursuing these things with motives of selfish ambition, greed or a generally ungodly attitude.

Also, the wages of sin has always and will always be death. (sin will kill you physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually if let to fester.)