Why Do Brothers Envy? - The Danger of Envy

Written By Bishop Ronald D. Roston for 3V Magazine

There is no doubt that envy is a time-honored character-killer. The Bible inveighs against it repeatedly. –Envy helped bring about the fall; prodding Satin to traduce Eve into eating the apple because of his jealous feelings. So virulent and soul-destroying is it that, according to Ecclesiastes (4:4) “Envy and wrath shorten the life.”
“Then I observed that most people are motivated to success by their envy of their neighbors. But this too, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.”

Just like envy became the fall of man in the beginning. The danger of envy continues to be our downfall today.

So often my brothers, we can envy someone else without knowing what hell they may be living. There are many different kinds of envy; there is envy over the stuff someone else has, envy over someone’s looks, envy over someone’s spirituality etc.
Sometimes someone will envy the spiritual experience you are having. People sometimes think you have it easy because they can’t see the total picture.
When they envy you they need to understand that if they really want what you have they must change their attitude and work towards it. And stop whining. When someone else is successful, that just means we can also be successful if we really want to.
Envy is a waste of time and keeps us from focusing on our own lives. We must teach ourselves to get off the envy train and onto the gratitude train.

My brother, you may be or know of someone, resentful because another’s work appear more successful. A leader in your local church may be envious because another leader has more ability. Yes, envy can be found everywhere today and that includes in the church. What is your reaction to those around you who been appointed in a high church leadership position. ? How many times have you uttered, “ I’ve been here longer I wish I had his position.” Have you ever thought that you could preach or teach better than your brother if you could get the fame and fortune that he receives.?