in the shadow of the great prophet Alicia a young servant named gazi seemed destined for greatness with unparalleled access to the miraculous power of God he witnessed wonders beyond his Wildest Dreams yet beneath his Pious exterior a Sinister ambition simmered waiting to strike when the perfect opportunity arose gazi seized it betraying his master's trust and unleashing a devastating curse that would haunt him forever join me as we explore the cautionary tale of Gatti a sobering reminder that even the closest proximity to Greatness can never replace the Integrity of our own Hearts before we can cover
his heinous crimes we have to know what else scripture says about him first he's a servant to Alicia for those who don't know who Alicia is he studied and worked alongside Elijah when Elija was carried up in a chariot of fire Elicia received a double portion of Elijah's power hence many of Elisha's Miracles look very similar to Elijah's Miracles we don't know much else about gazi from scripture other than that he obeyed Alicia whenever Alicia asked him to do something he seems to operate as an assistant of sorts nevertheless he takes a turn for the
worse one chapter later in 2 Kings 5 when a man with Leprosy approaches him about seeing Alicia to receive healing you probably have heard of the story of Naman Naman was a very rich man but a very rich man with an awful disease leprosy in the Bible often refers to several skin diseases for which ancient peoples didn't have specific names but it tended to have a similar pattern the skin would turn a different color perhaps flaky often body parts would get knot off or fall off due to pain receptors being blocked in the skin if
an Israelite had it it meant they were unclean they had to live away from the people likely living a pretty miserable life on the sidelines so we can imagine man's sadness at his disease although he wasn't an Israelite he was a commander to an army of a king in another Nation Aram most Nations didn't handle those with Leprosy well either he knows that his riches and Prestige could get him nowhere with a condition like this so he seeks Elisha's help he doesn't like Elisha's solution at first it seems plebeian to him Elisha tells him to
wash himself seven times in the Jordan for those who don't know the Jordan wasn't exactly a clean water source and Nan knew it he eventually swallows his pride follows Elisha's instructions and receives healing he tries to give Alicia a gift for Elisha's act but Alicia refuses probably because Alicia acknowledges the power of God had done the healing not Alicia and that he shouldn't be taking payments for an act of God Gatti and Naman run into each other on the road later Gatti is upset that Alicia has not accepted any compens ation for this miracle so
he figures he can finagle one he goes to Naman and demands quite the gift a talent of silver and two sets of fine clothing Naman gladly doubles this and Gatti returns to his master we can imagine he's pretty giddy about this come on Alicia we need to put food on the table you'll thank me later in fact the passage seems to indicate that gazi wanted to keep everything to himself he lies to Alicia when Alicia asks him where he's been if he'd intended to give Alicia the silver and clothing he would have said so Alicia
calls the bluff tells gazi he shouldn't have accepted a bribe for the miracle and Gatti walks away with the leprosy Nan had just been cured of so why was Gatti's sin so bad even if Gatti had told Alicia the truth and intended to give Alicia the wealth we can imagine he would have seen similar repercussions why it may seem odd that gazi got in trouble after all the Bible refers various times to God caring for the Levites the priest tribe of Israel he ensures they receive portions of land and meat from the other Israelites for
their duties how is this any different I think here we have to mark the difference between doing Ministry and doing acts of God the Levites had done religious duties they'd burn incense Slaughter animals for sacrifice lift prayers for the people to the Lord Etc these in themselves are are not Acts or miracles of god but they are done in service to God hence we pay people such as pastors youth ministers and worship leaders or at least we should they serve congregations in the same ways that the Levites serve the Israelites on the other hand spiritual
giftings such as prophecy or healing are direct acts of God if people ask for money to do these things they are making money from what God does there's something inherently wrong about that Gatti knew Alicia didn't like taking payments for God's Miracles and he tried to get money anyway we see several instances of greed going wrong in the Old and New Testaments a can ananas and saffra come to mind they kept what they shouldn't have then they faced certain death because of it there's a reason why the love of money is the root of all
evil money is a touchy subject many of us can steal ourselves when the pastor decides to give his annual sermon about why people should give more especially in this current economy there can be a temptation to be tightfisted but the story of gazi should sober Us in some ways gazi sought to use God to make an extra side income and although many of us are not working for people who are going around and doing Miracles we should take the following precautions from gazi's story it's not wrong for God's workers to be paid but we need
to ask the holy spirit for discernment if we're trying to use God as a side business God's people need to put food on the table and a roof above their heads but we have to make sure we're not trying to take advantage of God's Acts or gifts
