Coveting what isn’t Yours:

Today in church we talked about 1 Kings 21.  This chapter discusses the king of Samaria, Ahab with his wife Jezebel.  One day they decided they really wanted to buy this man Naboth’s vineyard.  Ahab wanted to use this vineyard to make a vegetable garden, and he in particular wanted this vineyard because it was close to his palace.  

However, Naboth did not end up selling this vineyard to Ahab even though he was even offered a better vineyard or would be given the money of what the vineyard is worth.  Ahab was offering a nice deal for what he wanted.  However, Naboth knew God’s law really well.  He knew that he wasn’t allowed to sell the vineyard because a man of God was not allowed to sell the land handed down to him from his fathers. It was His.  It was a piece of land that was intended to stay with God’s people.  Naboth was supposed to pass this land along to future generations.  It must have been really scary to be Naboth.  He said no to the king of Samaria, but he was content with what he had and he was also willing to follow God first. 

Now to start, Ahab didn’t do anything wrong.  He just wanted to buy a vineyard for a vegetable garden. It is perfectly fine to offer a deal to pay for a vineyard or a piece of land.  However, it is how Ahab responds to this situation.  Ahab instantly became a big complainer.  He came home sullen and angry.  He just laid in bed and refused to eat.  Now Ahab has switched from just being interested in land to coveting what he couldn’t have. 

Then it gets even worse.  Jezebel creates a scheme where the people had a feast, and then she wrote a letter to have two people accuse Naboth of disrespecting their god and to have him stoned.  He was killed, so then Ahab would be able to take his vineyard for himself.  He got what he wanted.  Ahab does later regret his decision.  Elijah, the prophet, comes to him and rebukes him for the murder of an innocent man.  Ahab also has to face some justice.  Ahab is told by Elijah that there will be a lot of destruction done to his son and his household.  

The main thing we can learn from this story is again, the destructive power of being covet.  The act of not coveting is so important to God that it is one of the ten commandments.  The tenth commandment says, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, nor his farm, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his!”  The Lord makes sure to say this because he was very aware that people, when they choose to covet, can become just like Ahab.  Their desires can take root and make them become frustrated, depressed, or angry by the lack of things they have. 

It is so important to love what we already have.  It is important to be content with the talents and the goods one has received, so those don’t feel bogged down by what they don’t have.  Otherwise, we start to look at others and are constantly filled with bitterness and with anger and with more and more discontent.  There are more verses about coveting than just in the Old Testament through the ten commands, but also there is Luke 12:15 which says, “And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

I have recently struggled with this a bit.  I mostly have because I have been struggling with my finances.  I often get very discouraged by the finances I currently have, and I want to be in a different position than I am currently.  I don’t necessarily think it is wrong to set goals to be a better place for the future.  However, I do think it is important to not constantly be looking at others and wishing I was in the place they were financially.  I need to be grateful for the money I currently have and need to be continuously wise with these finances.  

My challenge this week is to spend some time in reflection.  Think about one or two things that you wish you had that other people have.  I want you to be reflective and to be willing to admit the items that you are coveting.  Then instead of thinking about or focusing on how you will receive this item, instead, be grateful for five things you do have instead. I pray for you as you continue to fight against the pull of covetousness.