GREED IS A KILLER

 TEXT: 2 Kings 5:20--27;

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?

22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.

23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

Key Verse: 2 Kings 5:27;

The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

It is unfortunate, that, greed has taken centre stage in our today’s world; but it is rather most unfortunate, that, many lives are being lost to this killer disease called greed.

Here in our text, we see how greed destroyed the life and ministry of Gehazi, the servant of Prophet Elisha.

At a young age, Gehazi was highly favoured to be under the ministry and training of Elisha, a man who doubtless is one of the greatest prophets ever lived and used by GOD.

It was quite clear that Gehazi had the rarest opportunity any young man could get, of inheriting the powerful prophetic ministry of Elisha; but he blew it and left with a shameful disease---leprosy.

He lost his ministry; he lost the opportunity of inheriting Elisha's anointing; he lost his quality of life; and probably lost eternity in Heaven. All because he was greedy and discontent with what he had.

He inherited Naaman’s leprosy which was healed by Elisha when he greedily chased him and took the money and other items, which Elisha his master rejected when offered him by Naaman.

What a sad end to a destiny that should have been great.

Are you going down the lane Gehazi went?

Please think twice, because greed indeed is a killer.

Shalom!

Quote: “There is no calamity greater than lavish desires. There is no greater guilt than discontentment. And there is no greater disaster than greed.”