Why Do Brothers Envy? - The Danger of Envy

Many of our young brothers want to sell drugs because they see a guy towards the top riding around in cars and fine clothes and all sorts of material possessions. They want to be a big man like he is. But little do most young people realize that the “road to the top” is often paved with sin and trouble beyond measure. We as older brothers, also have a problem with not being able to mature out of feeling that “ I want to be like that rich guy.” Envy dwells within the heart. It is a cancer that in a short time will eat away the fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:26) “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Proverbs 27:4)” Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy ? “We must give caution to this terrible sin of envy. It led Jesus to be crucified because of its passion; a force that comes from within and directs our thinking and actions. It affects the entire man, for whatever is of the heart comes forth in life.

Envy Causes Division: Brothers, when we envy we obsesses with others' seemingly unfair advantage and become spiteful towards them. Our hearts become malicious. We want to cut them down to size. So we slander, whisper, spread gossip, revel in their flaws and wait like a vulture for them to falter or fall. The monster of envy breathes out a poisonous vapor that can infect an entire community. It's the breakdown of countless brother-hoods.

The best example, I can give you, of Envy and the lack of Gratitude is the Biblical story of David and Saul.
Saul is burning within himself. It is tearing him up that David, and not be, is getting all the notoriety. Saul is the King! Saul wants the fame and honor of all the people. But he is not getting it. This inward hate now possess him and he will take every opportunity to remove David permanently so that he will once again be the one at the center of attention! Envy takes root right in the heart of man. Once rooted, it will now breed more and more sin ! Saul now alienates himself from God as he becomes selfish, self – willed and full of his own pride.