A strategy against envy

In Sunday’s sermon, I said that I often fall short of our new PCF mission.

Our mission is: ‘We exist to be a Jesus-centered community in Pepperell, speaking gospel words and doing gospel works to display the worth of God to the world.’

I fall short of this mission when I wish to display the worth of Stephen more than the worth of God. I know this to be the case particularly when I am jealous of other ministers of the gospel who I think are more effective in ministry than I am. That jealousy is heinous sin. It shows that I’m more concerned with my reputation than God’s reputation.

I love Paul’s example. When he hears of Christians who are well-known for their faith, he does not grow jealous. Instead, he thanks God. ‘First, I am thanking my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in the whole world’ (Romans 1.8).

In this passage, Paul serves as an example of Christian love, as opposed to envy. Here is what Martin Luther has to say about Romans 1.8: ‘Christian love manifests itself in this that it rejoiced at every good thing that it sees in others, especially at their spiritual blessings, and thanks God for them. On the other hand, envy manifests itself in this that a person is grieved because of the good which he recognizes in others, and so wishes him evil.’ Envy goes even further than Luther suggests – not only does it wish others evil, but it derives a measure of satisfaction when they suffer or fail. This feeling has a name. It is called Schadenfreude. In his book on envy, Joseph Epstein devotes an entire chapter to Schadenfreude. Envy is a wicked, destructive sin.

So, here’s one simple, biblical strategy against envy, drawn from Romans 1.8 and Luther’s comments. Let’s determine to rejoice and offer thanks to God for the good things we see in others. If you feel tempted to envy, turn to God in thanks instead.

Posted by Stephen Witmer on Jul 2, 08:28 AM