Devotionals

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Envy Not

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud

--I Corinthians 13:$


Class at St. James Elementary School was now in session for a week. Ms. Elizabeth Sessions, the third grade teacher, asked her students how they spent their summer vacations and what they felt was the most special day.

Melissa Self told of a dream she had whereby she was visited by Jesus Himself. She reported having had a long talk with Him; playing several interactive games with Him; then having a hotdog, chips and lemonade with Him for lunch. It was the greatest day and the most fun she had all summer!

Linda Franks, Melissa best friend, sat at her desk with a disappoint look on her face. She was not happy that her best friend had an audience with Jesus and not with her. Linda, within a few minutes, spoke up when recognized, “Jesus really didn’t visit her! I happen to know that God doesn’t like her. Her hair is messy. She’s missing teeth. She wears bad clothes.”

How about we adults? Many of us react much in the same way? When God chooses to give someone wealth, intelligence or good looks, do we not respond with God being unjust? Do we not tell others that we need to take more from the wealthy; refer to the intelligent as just having book knowledge or the good looking person as conceited and spiteful? Are these not examples of envy? Are they not sinful?

We have been told by God Himself to never covet what He has chosen to bless our neighbors with. After all, every living person is actually blessed in some way by the Almighty. We do not have to desire for what they have. We are, in fact, encouraged to rejoice in their blessings as well as ask the Lord to look, listen and learn from them.

Prayer: Almighty Father, help me to reject all instances of hatred, envy and jealousy. Help me
to rejoice in the gifts You have granted my neighbors and appreciate what You have
chosen to give me.


Stephen A. Peterson
© 2012

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