Living in the Spirit
June 6, 2016

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 21:1-21a

So [Jezebel] wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal; she sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. She wrote in the letters, ‘Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth at the head of the assembly; seat two scoundrels opposite him, and have them bring a charge against him, saying, “You have cursed God and the king.” Then take him out, and stone him to death.’ The men of his city, the elders and the nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. Just as it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the assembly. The two scoundrels came in and sat opposite him; and the scoundrels brought a charge against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, ‘Naboth cursed God and the king.’ So they took him outside the city, and stoned him to death. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, ‘Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.’—1 Kings 21:8-14

This story starts with Ahab wanting a piece of Naboth’s land that he did not want to sell and Naboth, as you see above, paid a high price for wanting to retain his ancestral land. After all, Ahad needed a garden plot closer to his house and he was not to be denied. The very idea of procuring a garden plot by falsely accusing someone of cursing God is absurd but is it very far fetch from what is happening in our own country as we sell our souls for transitory wealth?

I find it nearly as offensive when we misuse our tax dollars to line someone’s pockets. Private prisons come to mind when we cross the line of keeping them fully stocked with prisoners to meet a quota whether that is the best means of rehabilitating the prisoner or not. The buying and selling of candidates for office might also fit in this category.

Greed is probably more addictive than tobacco which I understand is one of the most addictive drugs, at least hardest to quit. The first step in recovering from an addiction is acknowledging that it exists but that is only the first step. The most important step is sharing that acknowledgement in repentance with God and enlisting God’s help in freeing oneself of its tentacles.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see the grips of greed that have infiltrated my life and guide me to your way of ordering my needs and wants. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.