I went to a small Christian liberal arts college–many years ago. We were required to attend chapel three times a week and I actually came to enjoy them; the chapels would be conducted by various professors and they would speak on any number of topics, ranging from Bible to history to science. The Old Testament professor, Dr. Richard Patterson, gave a message on 2 Kings 4:12-5:27, 8:1-5; he told the story of Gehazi, and he began by mentioning that most people had never heard of him, let alone heard a sermon on him. Certainly as an eighteen year old, I had not heard anyone ever tell his story, though I did have a vague sense that I’d at least seen the name. Ever since, I’ve been fond of Gehazi’s story”

The prophet Elijah had gone up to heaven in a chariot of fire, and his servant Elisha had taken his place as the prophet of Israel. Elisha had then picked a man to serve him as his servant. That man was Gehazi. One day Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram arrived and asked to be cured of his leprosy. Elisha cured him, but refused Naaman’s offer of payment and sent him on his way. Gehazi, thought Elisha was making a mistake, and decided that if his master wouldn’t make a profit, then he would. Chasing after Naaman, he made up a story: “My master sent me to say,’Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’”

Naaman believed Gehazi and was happy to pay up. In fact, he offered him more than he had asked: he got two talents of silver in addition to the two sets of clothing, and then Naaman supplied two of his servants to carry all the stuff back to Gehazi’s house. Gehazi hid his bounty, and sent the servants away.

But when he returned to Elisha, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”

Gehazi’s response was another lie: “Your servant didn’t go anywhere”

Elisha knew better and told him his penalty: “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.”

Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence covered with leprosy.

In the New Testament, Jesus asks, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) People will do horrible things on account of greed; in Gehazi’s case it cost him far more than he gained.

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