"Content with Contentment"
One day Ahab said to Naboth, "Since your vineyard is so convenient to my palace, I would like to buy it to use as a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or if you prefer, I will pay you for it." (1 Kings 21:2 NLT)
How important is contentment? We would probably say it's important but not crucial right? But this is not what we see in the life of Ahab. In fact, a lack of contentment was the root of many other sins for Ahab. The seed of discontent produced many fruits that we may not have considered beforehand. It was his desire for his neighbor's vineyard that lead to many other sins. He coveted, lacked contentment, murdered, & stole. His lack of contentment led to murder! That makes being content more than just optional.
A lack of contentment causes us to desire things we never should desire. Desiring things we never should desire leads to doing whatever it takes to get them. And doing whatever it takes includes greater sins than we could imagine. A lack of contentment can lead to theft. We can steal from our employer or our neighbor to get what we want. It can lead to adultery. We are not content with the spouse we have so we pursue another.
Contentment is fundamental to godliness. This story reminds me a lot about David & Bathsheba. He wanted something that wasn't his, stole & murdered to get it & then covered it up! The only difference is the end result. David repents of his sin & lives while Ahab has no remorse whatsoever & eventually pays with his own life.
Where are we? Have we repented of our lack of discontent or are we continuing to walk in it? What could the consequences be of both decisions?
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