In one of Aesop’s Fables, a ravenous fox notices some grapes hanging on a vine. He leaps into the air, but he can’t reach the fruit. Dejected, he trots off and remarks, “Oh you aren’t even ripe yet! I don’t need any sour grapes.”
Like the fox, people sometimes convince themselves they don’t want what they can’t have. The only thing worse is when people continue to pursue what they can’t have at any cost.
King Ahab might have given up on his desire for a certain vineyard if it hadn’t been for his wife, Jezebel. Ahab tried to buy the plot from Naboth, but the man refused to sell it. Rebuffed, the king went home, “angry and sullen” (1 Kings 21:4). Seeing her husband’s dejection, Jezebel had Naboth murdered so that the king could acquire his little vineyard.
King Ahab had access to almost anything he wanted because of his position. Yet he focused on the one thing he couldn’t have. Ahab’s fixation isn’t unique. Bathsheba became a must-have for David (2 Samuel 11:1-4), and Adam and Eve just had to try the fruit God had prohibited (Genesis 3:6-7).
We can sometimes be tempted to go after the things we know we shouldn’t have. We’re especially vulnerable to this “must-have” mentality when we lose sight of what God has already provided for us. Desire plus ungratefulness equals trouble. Self-control mixed with thankfulness, however, can protect us from greed.
By recognizing all that God has done for us and given us, we’re filled with a spirit of contentment—not a spirit of longing for what we don’t have or what we can’t have. Paul wrote, “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV). With thankful hearts, may we see that God provides exactly what we need!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 17:1-19
More:
Read 1 Thess. 5:18 to see the relationship between thankfulness and what God wants for us.
Next:
When do you feel most grateful? How does remembering what God has done for us make for a thankful, content heart?
Gary Shultz on August 20, 2016 at 6:39 am
Jennifer, do we not do amazing things to ourselves in trying to reach a thing we covet. Being thankful is a much healthier stance than what the fox found; the desire never left, the focus had to momentarily change because at that time the goal was unattainable. The Christian life is like a gardener we must continually be watching and caring for the fruit. If we allow our focus to go beyond what has kindly been provided to us we will probably be swept down stream. On the other hand, (oh no) yes, we should not be satisfied with being less than God wants us to be. We don’t need to be impoverished in our relationship, we have endless opportunities to enjoy God’s presence, pray, read, and participate in areas God is leading. So if we could replace the harmful with the helpful we would soon be rather happy and peaceful campers. Thanks Jennifer
alexaoj on August 20, 2016 at 8:23 am
1Timothy 6:6 – “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 6:17-19 – Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Thank you Lord, that your word is forever settled in heaven. We can never change its meanings, even though some have tried and still trying to. May your grace and mercy cover me all the days of my short life here on this earth. In Jesus’s matchless name, amen.
ibitoytey on August 20, 2016 at 9:11 am
The tenth commandment says “thou shall not covet your neighbors property”.
May we learn too be satisfied that which He has blessed us with and stop been courteous.
youssef1777 on August 20, 2016 at 9:30 am
THE LORD COMMANDED US NOT TO LOOK WHAT THE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE . BUT TO THANK HIM FOR WHAT WE HAVE . MY LORD AND SAVIOR I GREATLY THANK YOU FOR EVERY THING THAT YOU GAVE IT TO ME . GOD BLESS ALL .