“He (Jesus) answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?” (Matthew 20:13-15 NLT)
Why does it bother us when we work side by side with someone, yet they get recognized for their good work and we don’t? Or we’re in a room with our friends, but the new guy seems to be getting all the attention? When I was pastoring, early in my ministry I didn’t like going to the minister’s meetings because the first question out of another pastor’s mouth was usually: “How many did you have on Sunday?”
Often, I was serving one of the smaller churches in the state and, inevitably, someone with a larger church would be asking the question. As I wrestled with the Lord about why it bothered me so much, He ultimately showed me it wasn’t my insecurity that was being put on display, but the other pastor’s. I was exactly where God placed me, and the size of my congregation was an issue between me and the Lord.
It’s similar when we’re trying to lose weight or gain muscle, rather than compare ourselves with ourselves, we want to somehow believe we’re doing better if we lose more weight or gain more muscle than someone else. The problem is magnified when we compare our spiritual “growth” with someone else. Jesus alone is the One who can accurately calculate where we are in our closeness to Him.
To compare ourselves with others in terms of how long we pray, how many chapters a day we read the Bible, how many verses we memorize, or how many people we’ve led to the Lord is pharisaic and hurts the heart of God. The only person I care about knowing about my walk with Jesus is Jesus. His is the only opinion of me that matters. Others are likely to overestimate our “walk” if they like us or underestimate it if they don’t.
Being egotistical or bragging about our spiritual maturity is one of the greatest types of evidence of our spiritual immaturity, and being jealous of another’s growth is satanic and displeasing to the Lord. Rick Warren wrote: “The Bible tells you to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12:15 ESV). Have you noticed that the second part of that sentence is easy, but the first part can be really tough?
When somebody’s having a hard time, it’s easy to be sympathetic. It’s easy to encourage people when they’re down. But what about when someone in your circle gets a promotion? That can be hard to handle! Rather than rejoicing in someone else’s success, you may resent it. You may even wish bad things would happen to people, because somehow you think that if you can blow out their candle, yours will shine brighter.
Envy is insidious. It devalues others, it destroys relationships, and it makes you miserable. It’s hidden, but it’s destructive. And it causes you to miss out on so much joy.” (See Daily Hope Love Celebrates God’s Goodness to Others – 02-18-23)
If the Lord wants to bless another person in a more extravagant manner than it seems He’s blessing you, does that really matter? Isn’t that completely His business? The truth is, if you’re a child of God, there’s no greater blessing that God could ever give you than Himself. So, if you’re whining because someone got a better position at work or was asked to assume a role at church for which you believe you’re more qualified, suck it up and be glad for them. Perhaps the Lord has something better in mind for you, but even if He doesn’t, thank Him for His kindness to your brother or sister. It will make you feel better.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 