GEHAZI’S LOVE OF MONEY IN 2 KINGS 5: 20-27 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR “YAHOO BOYS” IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Money is the main instrument use for goods and services globally. Those who have or control money are respected in the society. A person’s wealth is usually measured in monetary terms. However, the methods of acquiring and the use of money have brought a lot of problems into many organizations and nations. This study examined Gehazi’s love for money in 2Kings 5: 21-27 and its implications for “Yahoo Boys” in Nigeria. The study considered what the love of money brought on Gehazi who was a young Prophet in training in a prophetic school and its implications for Yahoo Boys in the Nigerian Society. The Study used historical and exegetical methods. The study revealed that Gehazi was greedy and was driven by the love of money and acquisition of material things. These desires brought his life and prophetic ministry to an abrupt end by the reason of leprosy that came upon him and his family. There are strong indications that many Nigerian Boys practice “Yahoo-Yahoo” because of poverty, lack of job, covetousness, greed and excessive desire for money, these could also be the similar factors behind Gehazi’s action in addition to love of money. Some Yahoo Boys have been reported sick and even dead. The goal of this work is to emphasis the reason for practicing “Yahoo-Yahoo” which is love of money and discourage the perpetrators. This study, therefore recommends that in other to alleviate poverty, Nigerian youths should also venture into business and artisan work since there is limit to what government of any nation can do, let alone Nigerian Government. “Yahoo – Yahoo” practice must be discouraged in Nigeria by parents, spiritual and political leaders.