Envy is a spiteful attitude or feeling that can lead to covetousness. Covetousness is an inordinate desire to possess something that belongs to another person. Credit cards are out of control in this country with people trying to keep up with the “rich and the famous.”
Covetousness is the motive for the first murder ever committed. The story is recorded in the first book of the Bible. Cain became so enraged with envy that he killed his own brother. The root of covetousness is greed. Correctional institutions are filled with people convicted of robbery. Adultery is the leading cause of divorce in our nation. No wonder the Tenth Commandment is: “Thou shall not covet!”
James 3:16:
“For where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Practical Application and Assignments:
You can’t be happy and envious at the same time. Envy creates discontentment and dissatisfaction. You are wasting valuable time when you spend it being envious of others. You are not successful because of what you have. You are successful because of who you are.
- Become eternity conscious. At the conclusion of your life, it will not matter what you have accumulated. It will only matter “how” you lived your life. Life is not lived in length. It is lived in depth.
- Become a giver. Give something away every day. Give to people in need, and to those who are successful. Success rarely comes to those who resent the success of others.
- Become aware of covetousness. Envy can sneak up on you. Sometimes it disguises itself. If you are living beyond your means, do “plastic surgery” on your credit cards and learn to be content.
- Become grateful and stop the cycle. Thankfulness annihilates discontent. Contentment dissipates envy. Someone said, “If you can’t think of anything to be thankful for, check your pulse.”
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have.” Hebrews 13:5
