The Problem With Envy
Yesterday I was reading The Parable of the Workers in the Vinyard in Matthew 20 and was struck by something found in verses 13-15 that I never thought much about…
“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
Wow, that really hit me hard because it is completely true. How often do we compare what we have to others who have more? To those who seemed to get a better deal? How is it we can be so satisfied with our blessings until someone comes along with the bigger house, the newer car, the better job? Suddenly what we have doesn’t seem sufficient even though not one thing has changed in our circumstance at that moment. We are convinced that God has somehow been unfair in withholding His generosity to us and it’s something that needs correcting.
The harsh truth is, we were born into a fallen world that owes us nothing and promises nothing. James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” and for that, we should continually give thanks. It’s only when we begin comparing ourselves to others that we become resentful of our gifts. In America, for instance, even our poor have access to food, clothes, clean water and electronic devices. But how often do we actually compare ourselves to those who have less? Not too often. Somehow it seems in our nature to always look at those who have more and feel entitled to what they have.
I really believe this is the enemy’s attempt to sow discord between us and a loving Father, as well as those around us. Proverbs 27:4 reminds us what a powerful emotion envy really is, “Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?” Want to hear something even more humbling? James 4:2-3 states “You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” That really forces a person to look inward when they are feeling discontented.
Ultimately, if we believe that God is really for us, then we must come to trust that His grace is sufficient for us. Having an eternal perspective helps me walk this out as I continually remind myself that everything here on earth is temporary, even the good things. When you really let that sink in it makes everything else seem very petty and over time I have felt less driven by the need to accumulate, especially as it relates to what others’ around me have. In fact, it allows me to be happy when I see God bless my friends and family in incredible ways because it is a reminder of God’s rich love and how much more we have to look forward to on the other side of the veil.
“O death, where is your sting?” -1 Cor 15:55
