The Curse of Greed

Scripture

Because of what you’ve done, Naaman’s leprosy will now be on you and your descendants forever!” Suddenly, Gehazi’s skin became white with leprosy, and he left.

~2 Kings 5:27, CEV

Quote

Greed blinds a man and fills him with foolish pride. It makes him easy prey for death and destruction.

~Rumi

Gehazi was Elisha’s exalted servant, there were other servants under Gehazi. Elisha lived by faith and trusted God to provide. He had no need or desire for greater wealth. The greater the wealth, the greater the responsibility: what a blessing to have what you need but not a lot of excess to manage. I am inclined to agree with Agur. In his prayer, Proverbs 30, he prays… “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Elisha was content with God’s provision but Gehazi wanted more. When Elisha refused to take Naaman’s gifts, Gehazi was upset. After Naaman left Elisha’s home, Gehazi slips away and follows Naaman. When he caught up with Naaman, he lied. When Naaman gave him the money and the clothes, Gehazi hid them for sake keeping or so he thought.

That’s the thing about greed, like pride it blinds us to reality. God saw the whole thing and He must have told Elisha because Elisha knew exactly what Gehazi had done. Gehazi not only got part of Naaman’s wealth, he got his leprosy. Greed is a deadly sin, it is just not recognized as a deadly sin.

Don’t know why but I am exhausted. When I get tired, my mind doesn’t function properly; or let me say, less than usual plus my computer is slow tonight. Have a great day!

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