Ahab's Greed for Property of Naboth, and it's results

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 11th Week - Monday*

*Ahab's Greed for Property of Naboth, and it's results*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 5:38-42*

*FIRST READING - 1 Kgs 21:1-16*

*1) Ahab's Greed for Property*

Ahab was a king of Sameria. 

When a person is a king, it is understood that he had lot of property, money, power, and possessions. 

Inspite of having so much wealth and property, he was eyeing on the property of Naboth, who had little property

Having such Kind of desire, that is to possess the property of a poor man is nothing but a greed 

*2) Naboth's Refusal to give the Property*

First of all Naboth had a small piece of land 

His family, and his relationship was identified with that land, because it was an ansecstal property

So he a special attachment to the property, that is why he was not ready to give that property

More than property, for Naboth, that Land is associated with family,v parents, daily bread, relationship, and His life itself. 

That is the only reason why he was not ready to give the property to Ahab

*3) Ahab's loss of Sleep and Appetite*

The greed for property of Naboth was so much the King Ahab lost his sleep and Appetite, when he came to know that, Naboth was unwilling to give his property

So ultimately the greed for property makes a person to lose the sleep and Appetite, which results in losing ones health 

So greed does not help a person in any way, but it destroys a person 

*4) Jezebel's Plot to kill Naboth*

The greed for property, makes a person to eliminate another person 

Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, creates a plot, with false propaganda, to eliminate, Naboth 

Jezebel succeed, in carrying out her plan, and eliminates Naboth for her selfish purpose 

So the greed of a person can end up in eliminating another person 

*5) Ahab supports Jezebel's plan*

When Jezebel eliminated Naboth, she asked Ahab to take the possession, and Ahab simply took the possession of the property. 

He did not even question, the illigal plan of Jezebel. 

In this way, the king supported, the illigal plan of Jezebel. 

*6) The fate of Jezebel and Ahab*

The prophet of the Lord says to Ahab *I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free*

About Jezebel God says *In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours*

Finally greed for property destroyed both of them 

We need to be careful about greed in our lives 

What is the influence of greed in my Life?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*