By Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
James has always been one of my favorite books. He just lays it out there, no matter how hard it lands. “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there.” So every evil thing gets invited to the envy parties? Think I’ll burn my invitation ASAP! Needless to say, envy/coveting is not something God wants to see in His children. Here’s a good litmus test to see if there is any envy lurking within you. When you see or hear about God abundantly blessing someone, can you honestly and happily rejoice with and for them? Even if they are being blessed and you’re not? Even if they are being blessed with something you were praying for? While we may feel a slight twinge, we should readily rejoice with them and thank God for their answered prayer. He knows what He is doing, and He knows better than we do what we need and when we need it! Don’t worry about what others have or are given, make the most of what you have. Don’t worry about what talents others have, worry about using your talents to the best of your ability, and you do have talents. You’re only responsible for using what you have, not what you don’t have. We are all blessed in different ways, be thankful for the blessings you’ve been given. To make the case against envy simple, remember, anything and everything any of us have is a gift from God that none of us deserve, salvation being the top of the list! Keep that in mind and continually say, thank You Father, thank You Jesus, and envy no more!