Greed and its Effects – SS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Greed is a selfish and excessive desire to have more, even when it means taking what belongs to another person. The Bible shows it in Ahab, who wanted Naboth’s vineyard, and in Gehazi, who took gifts from Naaman. The satisfaction from greed is short-lived, but its consequences are bitter and can lead to self-destruction.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• narrate the story of Ahab and Naboth’s vineyard;
• narrate the story of Gehazi’s greed;
• state the punishment each man received;
• state the lessons to learn from greed.

How did Ahab’s greed lead to Naboth’s death? (1 Kings 21:1-29)

Ahab approached Naboth the Jezreelite, asking for his vineyard. Naboth refused, saying he could not part with his inheritance. Ahab was so sad that he was unable to eat for days. When Jezebel asked what the problem was, he told her how Naboth had refused to give him the vineyard. Jezebel then promised to get the land for him at all costs.

Jezebel conspired with some base fellows to accuse Naboth of cursing God and the king. This was to get rid of Naboth, and the plan was carried out. Naboth was accused of blaspheming God, taken out of the city and stoned to death.

God sent the prophet Elijah to Ahab, who told him bluntly that God was very displeased with him. He prophesied that Ahab would die where Naboth died. As for Ahab’s wife Jezebel, the dogs would also eat her flesh by the wall of Jezreel. However, in 1 Kings 21:27-29, God postponed Ahab’s punishment until the days of his children because of his humility and repentance.

How did Gehazi’s greed bring leprosy upon him? (2 Kings 5:1-27)

Elisha was a servant of God and a prophet in Israel, whose period came immediately after Elijah. Naaman, the Syrian king’s army commander, came to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy. Naaman was still at the gate when Elisha sent a servant to tell him to go and wash himself in the River Jordan seven times.

The commander was annoyed because he thought Elisha would perform an instant miracle. On persuasion by his servant, he went to wash himself and was completely cleansed. He came back with gifts for the prophet to show his appreciation, but Elisha refused to take anything from him.

This was the point where the devil tempted Gehazi, the prophet’s servant. He went after Naaman and lied that his master had asked for some of the gifts to entertain some visitors who had just come. Naaman was delighted to part with the gifts.

Gehazi took possession of the gifts and hid them. His master asked him where he had been, but he lied, and Elisha already knew what he had done. Elisha pronounced instant judgment on him. Naaman’s leprosy came upon Gehazi as he left Elisha’s presence, and he was as white as snow.

What are the lessons to learn from greed?

1. The satisfaction derivable from greed is only short-lived, whereas the consequences are bitter and can lead to self-destruction.
2. Greed does not pay at all. In most cases, we pay for greed with our own lives as Ahab did.
3. Let us always be content with what we have.
4. God cannot be silent when the well-to-do try to exploit the needy out of greed, as in the case of Ahab.

Evaluation

1. How did Jezebel get Naboth’s vineyard for Ahab?
2. What did Elijah prophesy about Ahab and Jezebel?
3. Why did God postpone Ahab’s punishment?
4. What did Gehazi do after Naaman was healed, and what happened to him?

Assignment

1. Who was Naaman?
2. Narrate the story of Naaman’s healing and Gehazi’s greed, and mention two lessons to learn from Gehazi’s punishment.