The Consequences of Greed
Some time later there was an incident involving the vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria.
Ahab said to Naboth. "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange, I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."
But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors." So Ahab went home, sullen and angry . . .
His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?"
. . . Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat. Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name . . . and sent them to the elders . . .
"Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place . . . But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
. . . They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth . . . So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
. . . When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth's vineyard.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite . . . Say to him, "This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' . . . In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood -- yes, yours!' " I Kings 21:1-19
Ahab said to Naboth. "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange, I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."
But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors." So Ahab went home, sullen and angry . . .
His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?"
. . . Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat. Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name . . . and sent them to the elders . . .
"Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place . . . But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
. . . They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth . . . So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
. . . When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth's vineyard.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite . . . Say to him, "This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' . . . In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood -- yes, yours!' " I Kings 21:1-19
How much money is enough? How much material possessions is enough to satisfy the human craving? How many houses? How many cars? How much power? Is the craving for power and possessions worth taking another human life? Is it worth jeopardizing one's life, family and future over? Is it worth the possible disgrace and even imprisonment?
But alas, greed that drives people into jeopardy and even ultimate disgrace is a rather common plight with humanity. No matter how much we have or control, we are never satisfied! There is an insatiable craving for more in the soul of humans. Ultimately, that craving can drive us to commit unconscionable acts. In a bid to cover up; we lie, destroy others and even murder!
As king, Ahab had the best of everything. He lacked absolutely nothing and yet he still coveted the only possession that Naboth had. Jezebel, Ahab's wife, ended up ordering the murder of Naboth so that her husband could have Naboth's vineyard. Needless to say, God brought judgment. Greed and coveting what others have is something that plagues and pollutes the human heart. If left unchecked, it can lead to all kinds of dastardly behaviors and actions.
May God help us to continually examine our hearts and may we be transparent enough to deal with any issues of greed, jealousy and coveting that which others have. May we be content with our own lot and blessings. The consequences of greed can be quite ghastly.
But alas, greed that drives people into jeopardy and even ultimate disgrace is a rather common plight with humanity. No matter how much we have or control, we are never satisfied! There is an insatiable craving for more in the soul of humans. Ultimately, that craving can drive us to commit unconscionable acts. In a bid to cover up; we lie, destroy others and even murder!
As king, Ahab had the best of everything. He lacked absolutely nothing and yet he still coveted the only possession that Naboth had. Jezebel, Ahab's wife, ended up ordering the murder of Naboth so that her husband could have Naboth's vineyard. Needless to say, God brought judgment. Greed and coveting what others have is something that plagues and pollutes the human heart. If left unchecked, it can lead to all kinds of dastardly behaviors and actions.
May God help us to continually examine our hearts and may we be transparent enough to deal with any issues of greed, jealousy and coveting that which others have. May we be content with our own lot and blessings. The consequences of greed can be quite ghastly.
Prayer: O Lord, please help me to examine my heart. May I be content with my blessings and not covet or be jealous of what others might have or are blessed with. Amen.