“Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

Matthew 20:10–16

Life’s not fair …

“That’s not fair!” shouted my fiery red headed eight year old as she stomped to her room doing her best to put to shame a herd of stampeding rhinos. What could bring about such a calamitous tantrum? She wasn’t allowed to go with mom to the library because she hadn’t yet finished her list of chores.

Envy is pervasive in our world, it has been this way from the beginning of human history. Cain was jealous that his brother Abel’s offering was accepted by God, but his own was not (Genesis 4). Jacob envied the birthright of Esau (Genesis 25:29-34). Joseph’s brothers were eaten up by the multi-colored coat given to him by his father (Genesis 37). This was the state of humanity  when God gave the tenth commandment over 3000 years ago “You shall not covet” (Deuteronomy 5:21). Sadly, little has changed in the hearts of mankind over the past three thousand years.

Examples of covetousness is rampant throughout society. In 2019 scam calls will become nearly half of all phone calls made, people coveting the wealth of others.  Envy drives millions of social media posts as people try to outdo one another in everything from physical appearance to essential oils. An article from the entrepreneur laments this trend,

“Everyone on social media is infected with the same problem: The very nature of it causes all of us to be fake. So, while we can share the delectable stack of pancakes we had for breakfast, the highlights of last night's party, our feet poolside on vacation and of course, our "likes" and laments, all we're sharing is a simple chronicle. One that with the right filter and snappy status update can project an image of a life far better than the one we authentically experience”.[1]

Our struggle with envy is not just a societal problem, but something we struggle with on a very personal level. We envy those who have more money, more time for leisure, a better car, greater intelligence, box seats to the game, and a metabolism that means you can eat whatever you want and not gain a pound.

God desires something much better. What if, instead of being filled with jealousy, we were filled with joy at God’s generosity? The reality is we have all received from God far more than we deserve. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”( Romans 6:23) This week, let’s repent of the envy we so often feel and turn our heart toward thanking God for his generosity to us and his generosity toward others. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

Pray

Father, too often I am not satisfied with what I have. Too often my heart longs for the blessings of my neighbor. Father help me to turn from my envy and rejoice in your generosity toward me and toward others.   

Journal . Meditate … Be Transformed

What most often causes you to feel envious toward others and why are you envious? Though God is the creator of all things, how has he acted toward us? (Philippians 2) How can I follow God’s example?

Daily Reading

The New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs in a Year

• Matthew 16

The Bible in a Year

• Matthew 16
• Genesis 35-36

[1] (Deutsch, 2018)