“My feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psa 73:2, 3).
Many people have slipped and actually gone to the very pit of hell because of envy. “They envied Moses… and Aaron… the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram… They went down into the pit (Sheol)” (Psa 106:16, 17, Num 16:33). In other words, envious people are useless not only for heaven but also for the earth.
“The patriarchs moved with envy, sold Joseph” (Acts 7:9). So when we have envy we are practically selling our Joseph, Jesus. We are delivering up Jesus to be crucified. “The chief priests had delivered Him for envy” (Mark 15:10).
“The Jews which believed not, moved with envy…, gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar” (Acts 17:5). When we are moved with envy we destroy God’s work and we also become troublemakers for others. Having lost our faith, we try to destroy the faith of others too. But look at the good example of Jesus – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). Jesus wanted His disciples to become more useful and do greater works or miracles than He did. If Jesus the Almighty God humbled Himself to such an extent as to raise up man whom He created from the dust to such a level, how much more we need to rejoice and praise God when others, particularly our juniors are respected more than us!
“The patriarchs moved with envy, sold Joseph” (Acts 7:9). So when we have envy we are practically selling our Joseph, Jesus. We are delivering up Jesus to be crucified. “The chief priests had delivered Him for envy” (Mark 15:10).
“The Jews which believed not, moved with envy…, gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar” (Acts 17:5). When we are moved with envy we destroy God’s work and we also become troublemakers for others. Having lost our faith, we try to destroy the faith of others too. But look at the good example of Jesus – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). Jesus wanted His disciples to become more useful and do greater works or miracles than He did. If Jesus the Almighty God humbled Himself to such an extent as to raise up man whom He created from the dust to such a level, how much more we need to rejoice and praise God when others, particularly our juniors are respected more than us!
Look at the beautiful spirit of St. Paul: “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ” (I Cor 1:4). It is easy to thank God for the grace we ourselves have received. But it requires great grace and humility to thank God always for the grace which is given to others.
Dear child of God, examine yourself and see whether the abominable wicked spirit of envy is working in your spirit.
Dear child of God, examine yourself and see whether the abominable wicked spirit of envy is working in your spirit.
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion
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