Daily Devotions
The Problem With Envy
Title: The Problem With Envy
Reading for January 8: Genesis 29-31
When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister.
Genesis 30:1
We were having a fantastic gospel meeting filled with powerful and convicting lessons from God's Word. Everyone went on and on about how much they were be encouraged and edified and about how blessed we were to have such a good preacher that week. It truly was one of the best gospel meetings we had ever had.
And that's when it happened. That's when the little voices started speaking to me inside my head. Those voices were saying things to me like, "But you're a pretty good preacher too," "They actually think he's better than you," "What's so great about him?"
I'm ashamed to admit to this. I was feeling envy. And I was feeling envy during a gospel meeting when some fantastic lessons were being brought from God's Word! How embarrassing! How pathetic!
And I hope my experience helps illuminate for you what is so horribly wrong with envy. What my story so clearly illustrates is that envy actually causes us to despise the blessing of God. Our problem isn't really with our (perceived) rival. Though we don't see it this way, our real issue is with God himself.
Why was Rachel envious of her sister Leah? Because of these beautiful and precious gifts from God. She should have been rejoicing over the birth of these blessings, but instead she despised these gifts from God because she was so full of herself.
Why was I filled with envy? Because of the extraordinary wisdom, talent, and numerous other gifts God had given to that preacher. I should have rejoiced over the good he was doing for the church that week, but instead I despised this gift from God because I was so consumed with my own selfish desire for recognition and applause.
Why do you feel envy? Why does it bother you whenever your parents compliment your siblings? Why do you find yourself comparing yourself to other individuals or families at church? Why are you so consumed by the promotion someone else has received at work, or the grades your classmates are getting at school, or the individual successes your teammates achieve in sports?
It's a hard thing to do. But we need to self-evaluate to make sure we're not despising God's gifts because of pride and selfish ambition.
Father, forgive us of envy. Develop within us a selfless, humble spirit that will want to rejoice in the good we see in others.
