I Samuel 18:5-9 — Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine (Goliath), the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing,with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
********************************
WHEN GOD BLESSES OTHERS
Jealousy is a destructive attitude that poisons the way you view life. It is so harmful that God condemned jealousy in the Ten Commandments. King Saul was a jealous and insecure man. He had been elevated to the highest position in Israel. He had been blessed in numerous ways. But Saul saw that David was gaining the attention and praise of the Israelites. The Israelites recognized Saul’s accomplishments, but they also praised David, whom God was using to accomplish even more. Rather than rejoicing that God had empowered another to defeat their enemies, Saul became murderously jealous and sought to destroy David.
Jealousy is an abomination in the life of a Christian. God has made us His children. None of us deserves to be God’s child, so there is no need to compare our blessings with those of other children of God. Jealousy is self-centeredness at its worst. Jealousy robs us of joy and chokes our contentment. Jealousy hardens the heart and stifles gratitude. Jealousy assumes that God’s resources are too limited for Him to bless another and still bless us.
Watch over your heart! If you find yourself unable to rejoice in the success of others, beware! Do not let jealousy taint your heart. Repent before it robs you of any more of the joy and contentment God desires for you. When you are tempted to compare your success in life to that of another, ask God to remind you of all the ways He has blessed you undeservedly.
–From Experiencing God Day-by-Day, by Henry and Richard Blackaby
———————————-
The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves. –William Penn
Don’t waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. –Mary Schmich
******************************************
Exodus 20:17 — You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Proverbs 14:30 — A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Galatians 5:26 — Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
James 3:16-17 — Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
*********************************************
Lord, I perceive my soul to be deeply guilty of envy. I would prefer your work not done at all, than to be done better by someone else other than myself. Cleanse me, Lord, of this bad spirit, and turn my envy into gratitude, making me thankful to you for other people’s gifts, as well as for my own. Amen.
–Thomas Fuller (1608-1661), English clergyman and historian (adapted)