We’re all familiar with the story of Naaman, the leprous captain of the host of the king of Syria.  He was sent to Israel to the prophet Elisha where he was healed of his leprosy.  In gratitude Naaman returned to Elisha with “ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment” (2 Kings 5:5), and urged Elisha to take it.  Elisha refused.

Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, watched his master’s refusal of this wonderful offering, and judged the prophet as foolish.  After all, Elisha had done a marvelous service for Naaman, and Naaman was anxious to return the favor.  What could be wrong with accepting just a little reward?

Gehazi ran after Naaman, told him that Elisha had changed his mind, and that he needed two changes of clothes and a little silver.  Upon returning to Elisha and being asked where he’d gone, Gehazi answered evasively; but the prophet knew what he’d done.

Gehazi did not understand about the powers of the priesthood.  We never take payment for the use of the priesthood.  That’s called priestcraft.  The priesthood is a free gift from God to man.

I once did a Gehazi-type thing.  The mother of our local grocer passed away.  The grocer, not a member of the Church, asked me to arrange his mother’s graveside service.  Someone asked him why he’d asked a Mormon bishop to do that.  His reply was that “James Kerns is the only man of the cloth that I have any respect for.”

I didn’t much like being called a “man of the cloth,” but I was complimented that my friend respected me.  I arranged the service, took care of all the details, and gave an appropriate talk at the grave site.  My friend was so grateful for my service that, Naaman-like, he wanted to pay me.  I refused.  My friend couldn’t accept that such service could be given for free, and insisted that I at least take a ham in token of his gratitude.

To placate him, I accepted it!  Now, all these years later, as I remember this incident, I realize that I’m no better than Gehazi.  I was guilty of priestcraft!

Gehazi’s perfidy was rewarded by Naaman’s leprosy jumping over onto him, “and he went out from (Elisha’s) presence a leper as white as snow.”  (2 Kings 5:27).

I’m not aware of any repercussions from my unintentional foray into priestcraft, but I tell this story as a warning to my sons because such a temptation will sneak up on each of them at some point, too.