Envy is a dangerous thing. Some of us might not think that it is dangerous, but it actually is.
Envy causes people to do wrong things. We see someone more materially prosperous than us, we envy them, and our envy drives us to do some things that aren't right. James 4:1-2 tells us,
"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask."
Lust, which is basically a "longing desire" and an "eagerness to possess or enjoy" according to Webster's 1828 dictionary, causes us to envy what others have that we don't have.
What envy really is
Friends, did you know that envy is more than just a feeling of covetousness or lust for something that belongs to others? That's right. It's more than just that.
Envy is actually resentment towards God. We feel discontent with what He has given us and envious of what He has blessed other people with.
Some of us may not realize it, but we think that God is unfair for allowing others to enjoy life more than we do, even when they're not following Him. We think like, "God blesses others more than He blesses me, even after all that I've done for Him."
To help us deal with envy and avoid feeling envious of what other people have, here are a few things we need to do.
1) Be content with what God gives you
1 Timothy 6:6-8 tells us,
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
Our lives do not consist of earthly possessions. We were born bringing nothing but ourselves into this world, and we will die taking nothing but ourselves as we face God in judgment.
2) Understand that the Lord has a specific plan and purpose for you
While we might be tempted to think that life is not fair, we are told that God is not. He is good and just, and it is good for us to understand that He gives to all according to His pleasure and purposes.
And whatever He chooses to give us, we must learn to be grateful and joyful in it. Ecclesiastes 5:19 tells us,
"As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God."
3) Obey and trust God
Lastly, we ought to focus on the Lord. He Himself commanded that we should not covet what others have. Our minds and hearts should be focused on Him, because He's all that we need.
Hebrews 13:5-6 encourages and instructs us,
"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. what can man do to me?""
