“…Nabal is his name, and folly is with him! But I, your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent.” – 1 Samuel 25:23b
REFERENCE:
1 Samuel 25:2-11 & 1 Samuel 25:21-27 & 32-38
Nabal was a wealthy entrepreneur in animal farming and textiles. He had a large factory, numerous staff, and a wise and beautiful wife. However, as his name meant folly, so was he foolish. There are several things we observe about him:
No Abiding Relationship with God: Nabal’s story did not mention God or his service to Him. He was the kind of man whose wife went to church alone with the children while he only minded his business and money; too busy to be in church. He lived for the now, and his belly was his god.
He Was a Harsh and Evil Man: Nabal was rude, impolite, ungentlemanly, and unkind. He responded roughly to David’s servants and probably treated his staff the same way. He lacked the character to sustain his prosperity.
He Did Not Value Relationships: He was poor at managing mutually beneficial relationships and looked down on people not in his class. He despised the kindness David’s men earlier showed him, referring to David as a vagabond. Strangely, he had a good wife and good staff too.
His Money Conquered Him: He did not see his wealth as a product of God’s favor towards him; he felt it was the fruit of his effort, so he was stingy towards David and God. He said, “my bread, my water, my meat, and my men.” He may have been the rich fool in Jesus’ parable. His heart froze when he thought of all Abigail took to David. He was driven only by profit, and it eventually cost his life. Proverbs 1:32 says, “the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.”
His Wife Had His Money, Not His Heart: Interestingly, he was generous to Abigail. She had access to his goods, credit cards, and bank account, but she did not have his attention; he would not listen to her counsel. He typifies the kind of man who can buy anything for his wife or send her around the world but lives his life without her input in his affairs.
He Lacked Self-Control: He did everything in excess. He lived in reckless luxury (feasted like a king), a glutton who could not spare some meal for a few men. He was intemperate in drinking alcohol and often drunk, losing all his better judgment. It cost him his life.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL STUDY:
REFLECTION
Nabal’s story shows that it is possible to lose everything in a moment. It could be due to a fire outbreak, civil unrest, war, policy summersault, change of government, a bad investment, fraudsters, or even a sudden terminal sickness.
Without your wealth, what manner of man are you? An insecure man, angry, irreligious, lacking self-control, fearful, OR sold out to God, a man of faith, well-mannered, whose confidence is God? What are your investments toward the afterlife?
It is important to live a life that sets the right priorities. It is even more important to be a man of grace, generosity and humility. It is indeed best to be a man of character and godliness. The absence of these virtues became Nabal’s undoing.
Sadly so!
Having a genuine relationship with God makes all the difference.
Yes, it does.
Money is god once it conquers a man it become difficult to worship the true God.
Such powerful truth!
Being considerate to people around us goes a long way..
It opens doors more than we can imagine
Absolutely my brother, and it doesn’t cost a dime!
Yes. Spot on!
“For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the careless ease of [self-confident] fools shall destroy them. [Isa. 32:6.]”
Proverbs 1:32 AMPC
“For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.”
Proverbs 1:32 KJV
Prosperity, Pedigree & Perfect business acumen without God is destruction in the making!