ENVY. STOP IT NOW!!!

ENVY. STOP IT NOW!

There are lots of talks these days about people not feeling they are getting their fair shake and  being jealous of corporations, those who receive bonuses, and millionaires. Envy is wrong. It is right there in God's word we are not to be jealous and desirous of other people's things. Today in America there are a bunch of folks protesting in various cities in the US mad at what they call 'greedy corporations' and millionaires. Everyone has a fair chance in America to become wealthy. We are very blessed to be able to live in a country where we can work hard and be rewarded without our wealth and property being confiscated by a tyrannical government. Wealth in and of itself is not wrong. It is the love of money which is wrong. It amazes me how this 'class warfare' is going on in America at these protests today.
 
Each and every individual who has a dream and works hard can achieve success. There have been some of the poorest people who have risen from the ashes, so to speak, to build up huge companies and have become a success story. America is made up of things like this. It is a shame there are a few loud protesters out there jealous of others' prosperity and yelling loudly 'take it away', 'give it to me'.
 
In the Old Testament Exodus 20:17 warns us "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor's."  Psalm 119:36 says "Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness." To covet means to want what someone else has. If you want something why not do it the old fashioned way and work and save? We all have that chance and ability. Not everyone has just inherited their wealth but most have worked extremely hard, gone to school, made sacrifices to achieve their American Dream and it is not right for the government to tell them they do not deserve to keep it. That sounds totally un American in my humble opinion. That does not sound like freedom to me when the wealth of hard workers is being threatened by an abusive government.
 
Proverbs 27:4 says "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" Proverbs 14:30 says "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." Acts 7:9 recalls the story of Joseph being sold by his brothers when it says "And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him." Envy is absolute hatred of others and what they have. When I saw these protesters sitting there screaming,even here locally in Huntsville this past Saturday,  I thought to myself, 'why aren't they out looking for a job instead of camping out in a park for a month(such as in NYC) leaving litter and such behind?' They want wealth, then get up and be proactive and go search for a job or get a loan and go to school to make life better for yourself. Do not sit around whining about others having more than you.
 
Colossians 3:5 says "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry)"  The flesh which is controlled by lusts put there by the enemy, Satan, conjures up things in peoples heads to make them dissatisfied and jealous of others with more than they have. Just because one person has more than you does not mean you take it away from them because it is not fair! Ephesians 5:3 says "For let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness not be once named among you, as becomes saints."
 
People are often envious of doctors who made good salaries but those doctors studied hard, passed numerous tests, got school loans, sacrificed and were able to achieve this dream by hard work. It was not dropped in their lap. Others go to school for other careers which give them a lucrative reward for their hard work. Do not be jealous but go out and find what you can do to make yourself a success.
 
Now those that have wealth also know it can be gone in an instant too so we are not to place our  hope in riches but in God. Luke 12:15 says "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses." When you have been blessed with allot remember those in need to share what you have. The government does not need to come force you to give it. That should be in the heart of man.
 
Be grateful for what you have as we truly are blessed beyond compare in America. Do not sit around envying someones' house, car, or job but do what you can to be content with what you have and if there is a dream you have go for it, no matter what your age.
 
PRAYER: Lord thank you for the ability to have success. Thank you for blessing me. Help me to be content with what I have and never be envying the possessions or positions of others. In Jesus Name. Amen.