Introduction
When Ahab became King of Israel, God’s chosen people, he pledged to serve the Lord and lead the people with faith, righteousness, honesty, example, and most of all…integrity.
But then one day King Ahab saw a small vineyard convenient to his palace and he wanted it. But the vineyard was already owned by a man named Naboth. Of course, this is merely a formality for a King. So Ahab went to Naboth and offered a good price for his vineyard or another vineyard in return, one that was even better. It was a good offer, a fair one. More than fair—you could even say generous. But Naboth wasn’t selling.
Naboth’s little plot of land held much more value to him than simply what it was worth because it had been handed down in his family generation after generation and he wasn’t about to sell it to anyone else for any amount of money not even the King of Israel. Naboth was a man who knew what was worth holding on to and who refused to sell that which was of value to him—a lesson from the bible about what to do.
Now upon this rejection, King Ahab returned to his palace and pouted. He pouted in such a way that he refused to eat, which led to Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, learning of what transpired between Naboth and Ahab.
It’s important to note that Jezebel was a woman who did not worship the God of Israel. In fact, she didn’t worship any god, unless it suited her desires. So she used her power, and her husband’s power, to have Naboth falsely accused of speaking badly of God and King.
The plan was implemented, Naboth is convicted, then stoned to death because of the false charges, and Ahab gets his vineyard. But Ahab has also forgotten his faith, his honesty, his integrity, his pledge to serve the Lord and the people of God. And because he forgets these parts of him, soon after taking possession of his fraudulently acquired vineyard, Ahab is confronted by God’s prophet Elijah. And like a child who does something wrong just as their parent walks into the room, Ahab knows he’s in big trouble. And we know he knows when he says, “Have you found me, O my enemy?”
To which Elijah says, “Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, I will bring disaster on you…I will consume you.”
If you take anything away from this sermon, let it be that you never want a biblical prophet to say to you, “I will consume you.” But for a few grapes, that’s exactly what Ahab heard from this biblical prophet because he sold out his values, his reputation, his honor, his faith, his integrity.
Move 1
It doesn’t take a scholar to see how integrity, values, and morals have slowly eroded away by a focus on self-interest.
Journalist Marshall Helmberger writes in an op-ed about the erosion and loss of values, honor, faith, and integrity, saying,
All things being equal, liars and cheats have the advantage in society. People who are willing to act dishonorably can, and often do, gain the upper hand on others, most often in financial terms although it works the same in personal relationships as well. A liar can make up stories about people they want to undermine, while an honest person is forced by conscience to hew to the facts.
This, however, has not always been the reality of our world. For thousands of years our civilization built strong disincentives against dishonesty. For centuries, cultures across the world and of every religion, placed a powerful premium on honor and integrity. To be discovered as dishonorable, whether as a liar, a con, or a philanderer, was to bring shame to yourself, your family, and even your clan. It was the idea of losing one’s integrity that kept our culture intact by substantially raising the risks associated with dishonorable actions.
Helmberger is reminding us of a time when integrity meant everything and was more valuable than anything. But that time has eroded away. And what fuels it more than anything? Power.
We have heard with great power comes great responsibility, but so often we see what? Power abused—used to manipulate, judge, exclude, and defame—along with dishonesty, deceit, and the making of promises that will never be kept. And sometimes there is outright abuse—physically and emotionally.
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Now, for any who think I am “again” pointing fingers—because I have been accused of such—know I see all “this”—abuse of power—not exclusive to any one political party or one person or group of people. Rather it is seen in many people, places, parties, and entities—politicians, corporations…and even, sadly, by some in the Church.
Some who are in places of power use it for their self-interest, while striving to keep it by any means necessary—including by forgetting, like Ahab, their faith, their honesty, their integrity, their pledge to serve the Lord.
Power can always get people exactly what they want—but I know, as you know, that when power is abused; when faith, honesty, and integrity are lost; when others suffer pain and oppression because of the abuse of power—whatever “grapes” are gotten, are nothing more than sour grapes—“evil”, as Elijah says, “in the sight of the Lord.”
Move 2
I know I have shared this story with you before, but I’m going to again because it’s worth repeating… A boy spent his morning picking berries, and then went from house to house to selling them. At one house the person was glad to make a purchase and said, “I’ll take them into the kitchen and measure out a quart.” With that she took the pail of berries and headed for the kitchen. But after a few steps she realized the boy wasn’t following her. She turned and asked, “Aren’t you coming along? How do you know I won’t cheat you?” The boy replied, “I’m not worried. You would get the worst of it.” Puzzled, she asked, “What do you mean, ‘I would get the worst of it?’” The boy explained, “Well ma’am, I would lose only a few berries, but you would make yourself a thief.”
I am often telling some version of this story and its lesson to my kids—imploring them to not act and make decisions that will make them a thief, liar, unreliable, or the like because it will never end well. King Ahab shows this to be true.
He started as a man of integrity. He made a fair and generous offer for that which he wanted, willing to give more than the value of something because it was that great of value to him. But along the way he was influenced by a voice not of God. And when he listened to that voice, he sold off the most valuable part of his life—his integrity. And in doing so he made himself a thief and murderer for a few grapes.
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Integrity means “soundness of moral principle and character, complete honesty and uprightness with no masking of intent. It demands we discern what the right thing to do is and do it, even if it is at personal cost.” It is the opposite of hypocrisy. If we can’t be trusted to tell the truth; if we can’t be trusted to do what is right; if we can’t be trusted— period— then it doesn’t matter what we accomplish or gain because we will have sold ourselves out for a vineyard of sour grapes.
Our integrity is the most valuable part of us, and when we lose it, we lose everything.
Conclusion
On this Fourth of July weekend, we are all feeling patriotic, we cherish our freedoms, we celebrate our freedoms, and we especially give thanks for our freedoms. And this is certainly good and right, and worthy of celebration.
Let us not forget though, that freedom doesn’t mean we are free to do anything we want, to get whatever we want. That is the way Jezebel interpreted freedom. And that is the way too many people in this country and people around the world have interpreted freedom.
Freedom must always be guided by integrity, or else we are in danger of making ourselves into something that deserves no celebration. It’s good to celebrate our country. But it’s vital we learn from our mistakes. It’s good to promote and honor and work for liberty and justice for all. But it’s essential to know not all people of our country are given liberty and justice. It’s good to be patriotic. But it’s an imperative to know God calls us to put God first in our lives. And it’s good to celebrate our freedoms. But it’s critical to know not all people feel free to be who they are because of fear of what will come if they do—and that’s not freedom, that’s oppression.
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So on this Fourth of July weekend, if we want to really celebrate our independence, our freedom—let us do so with cookouts and fireworks and parades, and maybe some pancakes—but let’s not abandon our faith, our morals, our core values, our integrity for that which is worthless in the end, for that which will cause harm to others, for that which is evil in the sight of the Lord.
For what our nation, and what our world, needs more than anything is a people who cherish the morality to do what is right; who embrace the freedom to express our faith and beliefs and who we are without fear of persecution; who promote the God given call to live for a higher value than ill-gotten grapes.
What this nation needs, what our world needs, now more than ever, is a people of integrity. May we celebrate our independence for all. And may we share our integrity with all. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer, July 4, 2021
Gracious God, on this Fourth of July we are feeling patriotic; cherishing, celebrating, and giving thanks for our freedoms with grateful hearts.
We are grateful too that you have revealed yourself to us, that each of us is loved by you as your children, that each of us is precious in your sight, each of us a reflection of you, each of us bound together by love.
Still O God, on this holiday weekend, when we celebrate our independence and freedoms, and give thanks for them, we recognize also that our nation bears many burdens.
We disagree to the point of division that seems irreparable. We see violence against others because of differences judged to be inferior. There is fear among us all, used as a weapon to make us believe what is not true making our divisions even more stark and harsh. All of it a detriment to our integrity, and evil in your sight.
So we pray, O God, amidst our celebrations, remind us this weekend of our calling. Remind us of our common creed that all people are created equal.
Help us see, and embrace, and live forth not from what divides us, but rather from what brings us together as one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Help us to be profoundly grateful for our freedom and security, to never sell out our integrity, and to use them for the betterment of all people, everywhere, with the inspiration that all of your children deserve to embrace and enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
God of all; may peace and justice fill our land and, indeed, the whole world.
May the Spirit of Christ flow through us in ways that show us to be your people, who seek to see all people as you see them—as your holy and beloved children.
Then bind us together, tethered by your love, and guided by your presence, bringing your kingdom into this world where the only power that surrounds us, is the life giving power of your love.
Hear now, we ask, the prayer from our hearts, offered in this time of Holy Silence.
All this we pray in the name of Christ Jesus, who taught us to pray saying, “Our…”