We deeply hope these heartfelt devotionals bring you God’s moment-by-moment grace. Will you help us keep them available? Your timely donation will be such an encouragement to us as we move into 2024!
November 11, 2020
by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: Philippians 4:12–13
SHAKESPEARE CALLED IT "the green-eyed monster." Bacon admitted it "keeps no holidays." Horace declared that "tyrants never invented a greater torment."
SHAKESPEARE CALLED IT "the green-eyed monster." Bacon admitted it "keeps no
holidays." Horace declared that "tyrants never invented a greater torment."
Barrie said it "is the most corroding of the vices." Sheridan referred to
it in his play, The Critic, when he wrote, "There is not a passion so
strongly rooted in the human heart as [this]." Philip Bailey, the eloquent
English poet of yesteryear, vividly described it as "a coal [that] comes
hissing hot from hell."
Envy finds acceptable ways of expressing its resentment. One favorite
method is the "but" approach. When I talk of someone I envy, I may say, "He
is an excellent speaker, but he really isn't very sincere." Or, "Yeah, she
has a brilliant mind, but what a dull teacher!" Or, "The man is an
outstanding surgeon, but he doesn't mind charging an arm and a leg."
Envy in Scripture? From Cain to Nero. Envy sold Joseph into slavery, drove
David into exile, threw Daniel in the den, and put Christ on trial. (If you
question that, better check Matthew 27:18.) Paul tells us that it's one of
the prevailing traits of depravity (Romans 1:29) and a team member that
plays in the same backfield with jealousy, suspicion, and slander (1
Timothy 6:4).
The answer to envy? Contentment.
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the
secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or
empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who
gives me strength.
PHILIPPIANS 4:12–13
Are you having some big struggles with envy? Eating your heart out because
somebody's a step or two ahead of you in the race and gaining momentum?
Relax! You are you—not them! And you are responsible to do the best you can
with what you've got for as long as you're able.
I don't care how many trophies or awards or dollars or degrees may be
earned or won on earth, you can't take it with you.
So it isn't worth the sweat.
Be content with what you have and with who you are. Period.