The story of Naboth the Jezreelite is a tragic one, demonstrating what happens when power is abused.  Naboth had a vineyard that was located near the palace of King Ahab.  Ahab thought it would be a great spot for a vegetable garden, so he offered Naboth a better vineyard or the value of the property in money, whichever he wanted.  Naboth, however, had a sentimental attachment to the vineyard because it had been in the family for a long time, passed down from generation to generation; thus, he refused to sell.  Ahab was so disappointed that he stopped eating (1 Kings 21:1-4).

The whole thing probably would have blown over except Ahab’s unscrupulous wife, Jezebel, got involved.  She promised she would get the vineyard for him.  She then wrote letters to the elders and leaders of the city where Naboth lived and instructed them to find a couple of worthless men to falsely accuse Naboth of blaspheming God and the king, a crime that carried the death penalty.  Her plan worked.  Naboth was stoned to death, paving the way for Ahab to get the vineyard he coveted for a vegetable garden (1 Kings 21:7-16).

This tragic story reminds us that doing what is right does not always end well in this life.  Naboth was a man with integrity, not willing to give up his inheritance just to make a profit.  He knew the value of things sacred, and so he did not give Ahab what he wanted.  His land, nor his integrity, was for sale.

There are some things we should not sell either, beginning with our spiritual inheritance.  Our inheritance is sacred.  It includes the salvation of our souls in heaven and all the blessings that go along with that.  Peter described it like this:

1 Peter 1:4 (KJV)
⁴  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Let us not be like Esau who sold his birthright for a cup of soup.  Instead, let us be like Naboth and say, “It is not for sale.”  Today, the devil plays the part of Ahab.  He wants us to sell him our inheritance.  He wants to buy our souls.  We must refuse.

The devil does not use threatening language as he pursues our inheritance.  He wants us to think he has something better to offer.  No matter what vineyard Ahab would have given to Naboth in exchange for his, it would not, as Ahab promised, have been better.  It could not have been.  It may have been larger, but it would not have been better.  He could have probably given Naboth a vineyard with richer soil, but still, it would not have been better because it would not have been the land passed down from the fathers.  It would not have been his inheritance.

The devil might offer you money, power, popularity, or a multitude of earthly possessions, but whatever he offers, it will never be better than your incorruptible, undefiled inheritance that will never fade away.  Never forget the words of Jesus.

Matthew 16:26 (ESV)
²⁶  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.