Envious? Be Content

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Have you ever caught yourself jokingly or otherwise wishing you could do something,  have something, or be somewhere else one of your friends was?  Your friend does not have to work and you envy her. Your neighbor got a new car and you covet one yourself. Someone you know has tremendous travel adventures and you just wish you could be them. You are maybe jealous of another's success or wealth even though they spent years doing what they needed to do to achieve this. You maybe compare your marriage even to someone else's. A friend remodeled their home and you wish you could. Just never satisfied. 

The enemy loves us to be discontent. For when we are discontent we are taking our eyes off our own blessings and fixating on someone else instead of rejoicing with them. Romans 12:15 has reminded us to "rejoice with those who rejoice" and this means sharing others successes and joys. Jealousy is not a Christlike trait and something to get a grip on if you tend to do some of the things mentioned in paragraph one. It is human nature to maybe envy but not God's nature. 

We each have so much to give God thanks for and each of us is gifted and blessed in unique and different ways. Take your focus off Facebook posts which can tend to make people envy and get your eyes on Jesus and thank Him for what He has done for you. 

PRAYER: Thank you so much for creating me in my mother's womb Lord. You hide me in special ways and have blessed me. Forgive me if I ever become jealous of another and help me nip it in the bud before it takes over. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LOVE DOES NOT ENVY OTHERS

When you love someone you are happy for them and rejoice with them when good things happen in their life. You are not jealous of them if they get ahead, are honored, lose lots of weight , publish a book, get promoted, are voted queen, or win a race. It is tempting to feel envious of people who are succeeding when you may not be. God has a plan and purpose for everyone's life. Are you able to praise a friend who has had something good happen to them or do you get jealous?

Lately in the US government there is a move afoot to make people "without" envy those who “have“. They are calling it "income inequality". All this attempts to do is divide the classes of people and create envy. The more people hear this they start wanting other peoples things and their money, even if they did not work to earn it.

The Bible tells us in Exodus 20:17(NIV) that 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." That is simply put and easily understood. Be glad for what you have and thank the Lord for it. If you are reading this in the United States of America, no matter what your income level, you are rich compared to the rest of the world. It is time to rejoice and be glad and not glorify Satan by complaining and being jealous of others.

PRAYER: I am indeed grateful for the material blessings I have in my life Lord. Every time I start to want more or feel envy help me stop and thank you for the blessings you have heaped upon me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE JEALOUSY MONSTER

 Jealousy and envy of others is an infection in society. The Bible tells us  in Romans 12:15 to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep" yet how many people can rejoice when someone gets a position they are envious of? This past week at the Olympics I was very disheartened by two American runners who were envious of one of their teammate who did not even medal but who was getting all the press attention. I found it very sad they would react this way. Why not just let it go?

Are you ever jealous of the success of others? Actually God has given each person gifts and talents and if you are in the position and have one the world looks up to stay humble. There is nothing worse than people arrogantly tooting their own horn.

Lately in these United States there has been lots of class warfare tactics going on trying to get the poor and middle class people jealous of those who have wealth. First of all everyone can achieve greatness and money if they work hard. People who have worked hard should not be forced because of jealously to give their money away to help those not working or who choose not to work. But unfortunately this has been a tactic this past couple years by our government. The Bible clearly states in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that "If a man does not work he should not eat." People who depend on others to take care of them become lazy and think everyone owes them everything. This is wrong.  Remember what the late President John F Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country." Basically though I am not saying do not donate food to shelters and things like that, but am saying the government should back off when it comes to trying to seaprate the classes of people.

We are told in the Ten Commandments found in Exodus Chapter 20 to "not covet your neighbors home, his wife, his possessions" yet how many see a huge home and wish they had it not knowing if those that own them really can even afford it? Or say your friend gets a boat or fancy new car and you envy them. In Hebrews 13:5 it reminds us to be "Content with what we have." Are you content? Remember we are all going to die one day and the saying goes "I have never seen a U Haul at a funeral."

In Proverbs 23:5 it says "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." James 4:1 says "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" Once again be happy for others and be thankful.

The Bible is full of stories of jealousy such as Cain and Able, Joseph and his brothers, and Jacob and Esau to name a view. Jealousy causes bitterness, anger, hate, stealing, murder, lying and is not what God desires.

Are you able to share the joy when another prospers or succeeds? If not ask God to heal that area of your heart that is not of him and learn to rejoice and be glad.

PRAYER: Father thank you for all you have given me. Thank you for my gifts and abilities. Help me not to compare myself to others and become discontent or angry. Forgive me when I have not praised someone who deserved it. Help me learn Lord to be more like you in all areas of my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

STOP COMPARING

The 'grass is always greener' or is it? How many of us have ever been envious of someone elses seemingly perfect life? Maybe jealous of a title a person has,their education, perhaps  their home, their wealth, their success, or perhaps their family life. We don't know the whole story. Not everything that is perfect looks perfect. Even if it is, are we able  to rejoice with those who rejoice and not be envious or jealous of them? The Bible says to be content. It also says to not covet or desire people's things. And it mentions jealously too. There is much within its' pages about focusing just on getting rich too. Can you truly rejoice with those who rejoice?

Why do some folks feel they have to prove things? Many of you reading this from these United States are considered wealthy compared to many nations. Most of us have a vehicle to drive. Usually there is plenty of food on the table and so much sometimes we often gorge ourselves and get overweight. This nation in most areas is blessed with clean running water which we often waste by taking showers too long or leaving it running longer than we should. Almost everyone in America can see a doctor when they need to without a long wait. American women spend a phenomenal amount of money on beauty supplies which could be used to feed  starving people. Not attempting to guilt anyone and not saying go without makeup, just simply making a point. We are blessed with vacation time and go to nice places. I could go on but the point being, stop and count your blessings and thank God for them instead of trying to keep up with others or not being satisfied.

What does God's word say about this? In Matthew 6:24 it says "No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."   This does not say wealth is wrong but if you have an abundance it is not supposed to dominate your life.  Proverbs 23:5 says "Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." Proverbs 27:24 tells us "For riches do not endure forever and a crown is not secure for all generations."   In Hebrews 13:5 it says "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, never will I leave you or forsake you." In 1 Timothy 6:8 it reminds us "But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that." Philippians 4:11 also goes on to say about contentment "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." 2 Corinthians 10:5 says "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."

We should really only strive to be like God who is the only one to imitate or seek to be like.Romans 12:15 says to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." Are you able to do this when someone gets a promotion and you don't or when a friend gets accepted to a certain college and you don't? Exodus 20:17 is the last of the Ten Commandments and it mentions not coveting your neighbors things. Take a moment and read over all these commandments. It is good to review them every now and then.

So how do things stack up for you? If the 'rug of success and prosperity' were yanked out from underneath you could you still praise God even when others around you carried on as normal seemingly having no problems? I will leave you with Matthew 6:33 which says " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His  righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I have complained or not been happy with what I have in life. I realize I am truly blessed. Thank you for working in my life. Help me learn to rejoice with others when good happens to them. In Jesus name. Amen.