1 Kings 21:1–4 (NKJV) “And it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, ‘Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.’But Naboth said to Ahab, ‘The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!’So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, ‘I will not give the inheritance of my fathers to you.’ And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.” The Law of Inheritance In the Old Covenant, it was strictly forbidden to sell or permanently give away ancestral land. While other possessions could be sold, family land was sacred. It was not simply property—it was a God-given inheritance. The law says: Leviticus 25:23 (NKJV) “The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me.” This explains why Naboth refused King Ahab’s seemingly generous offer. Even though he could have gained wealth, prestige, and security, Naboth knew that the inheritance entrusted to him by his fathers was not for sale. The Value of the Vineyard Naboth’s vineyard was no ordinary land—it was right next to the king’s palace, making it highly valuable. If Naboth were greedy, he could have sold it for a fortune, bought many other vineyards, and secured a luxurious life for himself and his family. But he understood a divine principle: An inheritance is not measured in money—it is a covenant trust. Naboth chose to obey God rather than please a king. He was ready to die rather than hand over his inheritance. And indeed, Jezebel’s plot led to Naboth’s unjust death, simply because he stood firm for God’s law (1 Kings 21:5–16). A Lesson for Believers Today The Bible tells us these things were written as examples for us: 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV) “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” As believers in Christ, we too have received a priceless inheritance. It is not vineyards or earthly land but eternal life in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 1:3–5 (NKJV) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” This inheritance was first handed down to us through the Apostles, our fathers in the faith. They too, like Naboth, refused to “sell” the inheritance of Christ—even when it cost them their lives. Do Not Sell Your Inheritance Sadly, many Christians today treat their heavenly inheritance carelessly. Some are willing to give it up for the sake of: Wealth and material possessions, Family pressure, A relationship, Popularity, Work or career, Or even temporary pleasures of sin. But Scripture warns us: Jude 1:3 (NKJV) “…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Our inheritance in Christ is given once for all. If you sell it away by turning from the faith, there may not be another chance to regain it. Just as land once sold in Naboth’s day became another man’s possession, so too if we abandon Christ, we risk eternal loss. Jesus’ Warning Christ Himself warned: Mark 8:35–38 (NKJV) “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Like Naboth, we must stand firm. The devil still whispers, “Give me your inheritance. Sell me your vineyard.” But a true child of God must boldly answer: “God forbid that I should give away the inheritance of my Fathers!” Final Call Do not trade eternal life for temporary pleasure. Do not exchange Christ for worldly gain. Now is the time to guard your inheritance in Christ. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV) “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Take up your cross, follow Jesus, and preserve your inheritance unto eternal glory. ✝️ May the Lord bless you as you keep watch over your inheritance in Christ.