My, Devotion to Him #276
Do you find yourself ever avoiding certain people? Or you might even have feelings of resentfulness against others? Maybe they have more stuff than you? Maybe it’s better stuff, or success, money, own a home, more than one car. Whatever the case is the Bible says “Envy rots the bones”
We need to really take a look at our criticism of people, avoidance of them, and desire for what they have.
“I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.”
Envy is dangerous because it’s blatantly against God. Envy says “You were a mistake, your life is a mistake.” But it does not stop there. No, envy cannot get enough. This time it turns it’s mouth to God and says “You made a mistake, You failed at making this person. You should have made us like this other person. You should’ve given us what those people have.” Envy is aggressive in tone and cancerous.
I remember when Mariah and I first got married. It was hard. Very hard. For a while we had just enough money to pay all the bills and that was it. Looking back I can only say it was it God because of how extremely tight everything was. There was literally no room for mistakes in spending. But God, He always took care of us. He made sure all obligations were met, we had a place to live, we had food, and we had each other. I couldn’t count how many times I asked God why we struggled. Why we didn’t have better paying jobs. Why we didn’t have more money to enjoy our life and do whatever we wanted (lets be honest that’s why we really want the money)
I got to a point though where I could not go on without giving this massive burden to HIm. I am so grateful that we did not have more. Through this we learned how to really micro budget. We learned how to be responsible with our money (I truly believe that we cannot be blessed with more if we cannot be responsible with what we have.)
We do not live the lavish life. But through time we have told our money where to go and make sure we account for it all and know where each dollar goes. Too many times money control us and has no leash and runs rampant. We have to reign that in and take control of that.
Even as a teenager I would see people with the newest things that came out and wanted it. I hated that they had it. And the desire to want those things or those lifestyles that would let me afford such things crept in. We have to be careful because this thing is so easy to let in
Envy is a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck.
“you guard all that is mine.”
Don’t give way to envy. Know that God has a unique calling and mission for you. Instead of being envy of all that you don’t have, let this be a motivation factor for you to in turn become the best you that you can become which inevitably will be the person God has intended for you to be.
“Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.”
We need to turn to the presence of God. To stand in His throne room and let envy fall off us. He alone is our blessing, He alone gives blessings to us, He alone knows the plans He has for us. We need to not envy what we don’t have in earthly things because we have Him which has everything that is eternal and that is good and great. We have all that we need in Heaven. It is waiting that day that we claim the prizes and treasures of Heaven.
This earth offers nothing but temporary happiness that will fade and decay. It will not even be true happiness because the flesh is never content. It will always want more and more. It will always be envious of others no matter how much success you find because someone will always have more.
You can become one of the richest in Heaven if you follow His Word and stay focused on this race. You can be blessed with all of Heaven’s riches that mean more than all the money and jewels on this planet. Don’t let envy ruin a good thing. Don’t let envy be your roadblock.
“The land that you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! O will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.”
Rejoice because He is good. Rejoice because He has given you earthly life and eternal life. Rejoice and bless Him because He is the provider of our needs. Envy rots the bones but God is the healer and uplifter. We must come to a place where we take a stand against our envious thoughts and actions. Bless those who don’t have what you have and bless those who have more.
He will surely bless you beyond measure.
God bless.
Verse Studied:
- Psalm 16:5
- Proverbs 14:30
- Jeremiah 29:11-12
- Job 5:2
- Psalm 37:1
- Psalm 37:7
- Proverbs 24:19-20
- 1 Corinthians 3:14
- Titus 3:3-10
Copyright © 2021 by Jacob Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 