Day 34 Envy: A Lost Cause
Is it right to do good, or to do evil? Is it right to save life, or to destroy it?
These questions seem like they would be easy to answer. Right??? Unfortunately, it is not so easy to answer when one's mind is clouded by envy.
“Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?”
Luke 6:9
Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath infuriated the Pharisees. Their desire for power caused them to be filled with madness. The power and authority Jesus possessed surpassed the power of the Pharisees and they were not having it. They did not even answer the question that Jesus asked.
Here are 2 observations about envy from Luke 6:1-11
1. Envy clouds your mind in such a way you cannot discern between good and evil.
2. Envy keeps you from doing the good you should be doing.
Augustine argued that evil is the absence of good.
Edmond Burke is quoted saying, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Scripture leaves no question about the good we are to be doing for those in need.
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” Proverbs 3:27
“But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
I John 3:17
We also learn in Acts 10:38 that Jesus “went about doing good.”
We all have to deal with envy in our own hearts and at times, we are confronted with envy in the hearts of others. Such was the case for me my senior year of highschool. I attended a small Christian school. In fact, there were just 2 of us in my senior class.
For several years we had a small boy’s basketball team and a small cheerleading squad. My last year of school the principal appointed me as the cheerleading captain since I was the only senior girl. I was delighted and was looking forward to my last year of cheerleading and getting to go to all the games.
Until… one junior girl did not think it was fair that I was appointed captain. She thought there should have been a vote and her mom marched right down to the principal’s office and told him so. Rather than have a cheerleading squad that was struggling with jealousy and envy, the principal cancelled cheerleading for the entire year. We got nothing and the jealous girl got her way. I would not be cheerleading captain. No one would.
I like to define envy as hatred without a cause. In fact, whatever we do because of envy is a lost cause that is destined to fail.
Because of envy the Pharisees failed that Sabbath day.
Failed to see the need.
Failed to do good.
Failed to recognize the presence and power of God.
Failed because of envy.
What might you be failing at in life because of envy?
Failing at marriage because her husband seems so perfect?
Failing at motherhood because you are comparing yourself with others?
Failing at ministry because you do not have her gift?
There is a cure for envy. Receiving and sharing the love of God is the cure.
Charity envieth not. I Cor. 13:6b
Theme Verse:
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35
“Lose” from the Greek word “Apollymi” means “to destroy fully.” It is translated “destroy” in Luke 6:9, our verse for today.
“Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?”
Luke 6:9