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Gehazi is mentioned in the Bible a few times, in the book of 2 Kings, as the servant of Elisha the prophet. Gehazi is featured in a story about a Shunammite woman鈥檚 dead child whom Elisha raised to life (2 Kings 4:18–37) and later in a story about how the king of Israel restored that same woman鈥檚 stolen property to her (2 Kings 8:1–6). But the most well-known story about Gehazi concerns a sin he committed, the cover-up he attempted, and the punishment that followed (2 Kings 5:15–27).

The story of Gehazi鈥檚 downfall starts with a man named Naaman who commanded the army of Syria. Naaman was a mighty warrior, but had an incurable skin disease called leprosy (2 Kings 5:1). Elisha the prophet healed Naaman of his leprosy by the power of the Lord (verse 14), and Naaman praised God and offered Elisha a gift, which Elisha refused to accept (verse 16). Naaman departed for Syria, but Elisha鈥檚 servant Gehazi ran after him and told a lie in order to get Naaman鈥檚 gift for himself. In his lie, Gehazi invoked his master鈥檚 name, making it appear as if Elisha wanted the gift after all: 鈥淢y master sent me to say, 鈥楾wo 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鈥欌�� (verse 22). Naaman was only too glad to comply—he was happy to be able to give something out of gratitude for his healing—and he urged Gehazi to take twice as much silver as he had asked for. Gehazi went home with the silver and the garments, which he hid. Later, when Gehazi came before Elisha, he lied again in response to Elisha鈥檚 direct question as to where he had been (verse 25). It soon became apparent that Elisha knew the truth, its having been revealed to him by God: 鈥淲as not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you?鈥� (verse 26). Then came Gehazi鈥檚 punishment: 鈥淣aaman鈥檚 leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever鈥� (verse 27). And, just like that, Gehazi was a leper.

Elisha asked Gehazi an important rhetorical question: 鈥淚s this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves?鈥� (2 Kings 5:26). His point was that the miracles of God cannot be bought. The power of God in our lives is not meant for personal enrichment, and God鈥檚 servants should not be doing ministry for the sake of earthly rewards. Every one of us should remember that it is not money that cares for our needs—it is God (Hebrews 13:5).

Gehazi witnessed a miracle, an undeniable display of God鈥檚 power that involved the redemption of a man鈥檚 health, life, and soul. But all he could think about was money. Naaman needed to see the grace of God in the free and abundant blessing he received; Gehazi destroyed grace by demanding payment.

鈥淭丑别 love of money is a root of all kinds of evil鈥� (1 Timothy 6:10), and 鈥測ou cannot serve both God and money鈥� (Luke 16:13). After years of seemingly faithful service, Gehazi fell. His sin began in the heart, as he coveted what Naaman was offering. Other sins soon followed in a series of lies. Gehazi would have been wise to heed Moses鈥� warning of long ago, 鈥淵ou may be sure that your sin will find you out鈥� (Numbers 32:23).