The Wise Giver Pt I

On Sunday I spoke out of 1 Samuel 25 and talked about being a wise giver. You can listen to the podcast here. In the message I outlined three ways that we can be a wise giver. We looked at Abigail and how she was wise in how she lived her life. She put that wisdom into action when her husband made some very selfish decisions. Over the next couple of days I am going to share with you the difference between and wise and selfish giver. Today I want to share with you four traps that Nabal fell into in hopes that we can avoid those traps.

1. Foolishness: The name Nabal actually means fool and he definitely lived up to his name. He was a wealthy man who was harsh and evil. Selfish people are often this way. They are only concerned with themselves and neglect other people. The true indication that Nabal was a fool was his heritage. He a descendant of Caleb. Caleb was not only a wise person but bold spiritually. Nabal wasn’t anything like his grandfather. Fools often disgrace their families name
2. Greediness: Nabal profited off of David but refused to do anything for him. It says in vs. 14-16 that David was a wall day and night to Nabal’s flocks. Nabal was greedy because David had to come and ask him for some sheep for the feast. David had the right to take some sheep but didn’t. Nabal should’ve offered it to David before he had to ask. This shows his greediness. We can be greedy with God as well. We use Him for his protection and provision but when it comes time to give God what is required we get greedy
3. Possessiveness: In vs. 10 Nabal refuses to give David’s men anything. In fact he uses the word “my”three times. A big trap that we can fall into is when we begin to look at our possessions as ours and not to be shared with anyone else. Nabal actually demeans David in the process as if to rationalize his decision. Let’s not be possessive with our things. Instead lets be givers.
4. Unwillingness to listen: In vs. 17 one of Nabal’s young men tells his wife, Abigail, that he has snubbed David and David is on the way to destroy the house of Nabal. The last thing the young man says is that Nabal is a worthless man who won’t listen to anyone. That word worthless actually translates “Son of Belial” or the Devil. When we refuse to listen to people we become more like the Devil and less like Christ.

Four traps that are easy to fall into by anyone. Money in itself is a trap. If we become foolish, greedy, possessive, and unwilling to give of our money we will end up like Nabal. People will be after us and in the end it will turn out bad. Check back later for what happens to him.