Envy

Let not your heart envy sinners,

but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.

Surely there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

(Proverbs 23:17-18 ESV)

Envy is a powerful thing. We can often find ourselves wanting others job’s, possessions, and family. A person can become so focused on what others have that it becomes their motivation for existing. They work, save, and channel all of their energy and resources into getting what they feel someone else has. Two phrases come to mind about this subject, “keeping up with the Jones” and “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Most of the time, envy produces one to want to keep up with current trends, or what others around them have. However, no matter how nice something looks, or feels, there are still problems. One can look another’s family, and say, I wish my wife was like her, not knowing the she is a shopaholic. Or perhaps, they look at the new car in the neighbors drive, not realizing that it has several little recalls and issues that will cost the neighbor time and money to fix. When someone looks and covets what he sees like that it can lead to envy, and eventually to a point where keeping up appearances becomes priority number one.

The Christian life can also be that way. Often people can get so wrapped up in doing things, because they want to keep up their hearts become burdened. Some even look at the carefree lifestyles of nonbelievers. They see nonbelievers, drinking, partying, living for self, so easily, that it can lead believers astray. Christians can start believing that they have put themselves under a yoke. When they do this they want to rebel, so that they can have the fun they feel the unbelievers are having. This is not a new concept. Ancient Israelites had to deal with envy. That is why is says continue in the LORD. It is tempting to just want to give up on God, and live life for self. However, since we know Christ, and know how the story ends; Christ wins. We should remember, that we do not work to earn our future, but because we know that the future will be so much better than the present. No matter what hardships, frustrations, and heartaches one can suffer in this life, we know that there will be a time, when we are with Christ, and there will be no more tears or suffering. So, if you are a believer in Christ, carry Proverbs 23:17-18 in your hearts, it is a reminder that there is a future, with Christ.