[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Dealing with the sin of envy

Read: MATHEW 20:1-16

Meditation verse:

“Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil  because I am good? (Mathew 20:15).

What is your usual reaction when you see others blessed by God, especially in  the areas where you desperately need Him to bless you? Are you genuinely  pleased, or do you resent them inwardly? Do you give God the glory on their  behalf, or do you get bitter and feel God is unfair? If you find yourself feeling  resentful at the progress of others, you may be dealing with the sin of envy. Envy  is a deadly sin that robs you of your peace, gratitude, and joy. It puts you in a  place of constantly comparing yourself with others, therefore blinding you to  your own blessings. Envy turns you into an ingrate. It is an ugly sin that you must  never allow to take root in your life. 

Jesus likened the principle behind parable of the landowner to that of the  Kingdom of heaven. The landowner gave equal wages to every worker  irrespective of the hour they began working. When questioned by the workers  who had begun their work earlier, the landowner replied: “Is it not lawful for me  to do what I wish with my own things”? “The earth is the Lord’s, and all of its  fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). The owner of the  universe has the authority to do with everything on earth as He pleases. “…He  puts down one and exalts another” (Psalm 75:7). “…He makes His sun rise on the  evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mathew 5:45).  He said to Moses “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will  have compassion on whomever I will have compassion” (Romans 9:15). Who are  we then to question God’s authority? “Is there unrighteousness with God?  Certainly not!” (Romans 9:14). 

When next you see someone being blessed with something you desire greatly,  rejoice with them, and let your rejoicing be genuine. Commend them and thank  God on their behalf. You can even let them know that you are looking to God for  a similar miracle. This way, you are limiting the chances of envy taking root in  your heart. “…It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who  shows mercy” (Romans 9:16).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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