Christian Living

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When Envy Rules
© 2007

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Generally, when a storyteller, teacher or preacher mentions the Gospel parable of the Prodigal Son, the emphasis is regarding forgiveness and reconciliation. However, embedded in Jesus’ short story of forgiveness is the bar to reconciliation—envy.

After the worldly son returned from his short sin filled life his father threw a huge, lavish party for him giving his wayward child much more than his faithful one. When the faithful son saw what had occurred, he was angered and appalled. He was jealous of his brother and, more than likely, angry at his own father for not giving him what he believed he deserved. As it is written in Luke’s Gospel, the father tired every way he knew to explain to his oldest son why he did what he did but the son was too overcome with envy to listen or to understand a word of it.

Trying to be fair, to divide everything—including love, time, possessions, property is one of the enigmatic puzzles of parenthood and even in a company of supposedly grown adult men and women. No matter how hard one tries, people perceive injustice even where there is none. The result can usually be resentment, hurt feelings even revenge among children that may last years even a lifetime.

When one looks up the word “covet”, one will learn it is a synonym for “envy”. It is; therefore, appropriate to apply the word “envy” when referencing the tenth commandment as it is written in the Book of Exodus: “You should not envy your neighbor’s house. You should not envy your neighbor’s wife nor his man servant, nor his woman servant, nor his ox, nor his beast of burden, nor any possessions that belong to your neighbor”.

It is quite easy to suggest everyone even very young children have at many times in their lives have been envious of the possessions, favors received by another from another awards or promotions they believe is or was due them. One way to guard against envy is to concentrate on all the blessings God has seen fit to give you. Blessings such as good health, food, clothing, shelter, family, friends and so on. God, in His infinite wisdom and judgment, has given each person different gifts that almost no one else you will ever meet will possess. In all cases, gifts one has are meant to share with those you come in contact with. Besides being able to breathe, eat, talk, we have as gifts personal wealth, wisdom, writing skills, cooking skills, carpentry to name just a few. Thank God for what you have and try to make the most of it or them. Otherwise, all of your life you will never have enough or be envious of the gifts other have.


List twelve talents/gifts you have:

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2. ________________________

3. ________________________

4. ________________________

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11. ________________________

12. _________________________


List twelve things and gifts you are able to or should share with someone not necessarily your friend:

1. ________________________

2. ________________________

3. ________________________

4. ________________________

5. ________________________

6. ________________________

7. ________________________

8. ________________________

9. ________________________

10. ________________________

11. ________________________

12. _________________________


Thanksgiving is more than eating or sharing a meal with each others or others. It is also thanking God for what He has seen fit to endow us with both seen (material) and unseen (talents).

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