The Problem of Greed

The more we see of Ahab in action, the more we see the morally bankrupt character he represents. Recently rebuked by the prophet for sparing Ben-hadad over the exchange of property, his appetite for selfish indulgence only grows. He spies a piece of land nearby owned by a man named Naboth.

1 Kings 21:1–4 (ESV) Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 4 And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.

Naboth refused this offer because he knew the word of God. There were stipulations in the Torah for the sale of a property.

Leviticus 25:23 (ESV) “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.

The King of Israel is behaving like a spoilt brat who didn't get the lollypop at the store. His idolatry overwhelms him. He will not destroy the nation's enemies, he will not stop trying to amass a greater portion for himself, and when he is rebuffed, he refuses to eat and literally cannot function. This is the face of greed. He feels as if life is not worth living unless he can get more.

Now when Jezebel inquires into Ahab's mood, he recounts the story to her betraying his ignorance of the Law and the true reality of our possessions. Look at Ahab's explanation:

1 Kings 21:6 (ESV) And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ”

The difference between Ahab's version and the truth is striking. Naboth did not call it "my vineyard" but rather called it, "the inheritance of my fathers". For Naboth, possessions were not something he alone was to have and use for his own satisfaction. Possessions were a sacred trust, tied generationally to those who came before him and ultimately owned by the Lord. 

Still, and rather predictably, the wicked Jezebel goes to work serving Ahab's greed. 

1 Kings 21:8–10 (ESV) So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. 9 And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. 10 And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”

This entire plan goes off exactly as Jezebel designs. But we are asked to notice what becomes of greed in the life of Ahab and Jezebel. What started off as greed or in the law's case, coveting your neighbor's possession turns into a host of other sins. Jezebel not only forges Ahab's seal and starts giving orders in his name, but she also uses a religious pretense to mask their greed by proclaiming a fast. Finally, she demands that others take part in perjury to falsely accuse Naboth of something he never did. 

Greed is a deadly destructive curse in the heart of man. This passage shows how such a small sin as desiring what someone else has can lead to so much more evil in our lives. 

The answer is to see your world and your things the way Naboth did. His property was not his but the Lord's, governed by the Lord's commandments and to be used in light of the Lord's wisdom. He doesn't seek quick gain or unlawful dealing. You get the idea that because he treated his possessions as such they became lovely enough for Ahab to take notice of them. 

Perhaps you read this and think Naboth unjustly suffered for righteousness. Yes, he did, as a foreshadowing picture of Christ who gave up His possessions to save our selfish hearts. The more we see Christ on the pages of scripture, the more we see the tremendous gift His death, burial and resurrection are to undeserving sinners. Today, Naboth shares his eternal inheritance with His eternal Lord. We have this hope for us when we turn from our sins and trust Christ to change us inside and out.