And Greed, Which is Idolatry

1 Kings 20-21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

“(There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.) When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.”

1 Kings 21:25-27

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

Colossians 3:5

At the urging of his wife Jezebel, Ahab sold himself to the powers of darkness. His vile practices included rituals which involved offering sacrifices to demons. When Ahab lusted after Naboth’s vineyard to use as a vegetable garden and then supported a plot to kill Naboth and steal his land, God was grieved. Greed is the same as idolatry. We might not plot to take someone else’s garden plot; but, when money becomes our god, we, like Ahab, become controlled by the powers of darkness. When confronted with his sin, remarkably, Ahab repented and responded with humility. No one is beyond the grace of God which leads to repentance. 

What aspect of our earthly nature needs to be “put to death”?

What has become more valuable to us than knowing the Lord?

“Lord Jesus, I repent for the sin of idolatry and greed, for your glory.”