Here's a tough one. Who among us hasn't felt, at one time or another, the bitter sting of envy? Who hasn't sensed this most unattractive quality eat away at our spirit, sap us of energy, and deplete our attitude of thanksgiving?
Of course, we all recognize that envy isn't based so much on what someone else has, but on what we don't have! Just as criticism is, in essence, a revealing of the criticizer, envy reveals much about our heart, our spirit, our thankfulness.
So, here's a wake-up call for all of us: there will always be someone more talented than you and me; there will always be someone more successful in their occupation than you and me; there will always be someone just more “together” than you and me. But here's the test – Can we be grateful for others' gifting? Can we be thankful for God's blessing in their life?
Remember Asaph? He's the guy who wrote Psalm 73, and when he looked around him and noticed the apparent affluence of the ungodly, he stated plainly, “I envied the arrogant.” After surveying and describing their seemingly perfect life, Asaph finally came to his senses and ended his Ode to Envy with these words: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Envy of others' prosperity is based on ignorance of our own blessing.
DISCUSS/CONTEMPLATE:
- Is envy a struggle for you?
- How would taking stock of God's blessing on your life counter this bone-rotting emotion?
- Has envy ever hindered your ministry?
--For additional resources on spiritual development for worship leaders, check out more blogs at discoverworship.com.
