The Perils of Greed: Lessons from Gehazi’s Mistake
Have you ever been tempted to take a shortcut for personal gain? Maybe it was something small, like stretching the truth to get ahead, or something bigger, like chasing wealth at the expense of your integrity. We’ve all faced moments where the lure of “more” tugs at our hearts. In 2 Kings 5:20, we meet Gehazi, a man who gave in to that temptation—and paid a heavy price. His story is a powerful warning for us today, especially as fundamentalist Christians who hold the Bible as God’s unchanging truth. Let’s dive into this cautionary tale and uncover the lessons it holds about greed, deception, and the call to live with integrity and trust in God. The Story of GehaziIn 2 Kings 5, we find Naaman, a Syrian commander afflicted with leprosy. Through the prophet Elisha, God heals him, and Naaman is overwhelmed with gratitude. He offers Elisha silver, gold, and clothing as a thank-you gift. But Elisha refuses, declaring, " As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept ...