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  Religion
Jealousy By Pastor Phillip Howle web posted June 9, 2010 RELIGION – I am at Topsail Beach, NC as I write this week. I am having a blast with my family and enjoying the new Speedo my wife bought for me to wear. In the process I am finding out that I can be a jealous person sometimes. I mean we are in a great house with all my family, I could not ask for more. But, there are lots of nice cars, tan athletic bodies, and houses for sale that I will never be able to afford. So, I started to feel a little jealous. So, I have pulled a Barney Fife and “nipped it in the bud,” because I am not going to let jealousy ruin my vacation. Carol J. Ruvolo writes that jealousy “is greedy, resentful, and selfish; it is always bad. It wants what others have simply because they have it, bears grudges against those who have what it doesn’t, and accuses God of being unfair.” (Envy and Kindness, Tabletalk, May 2008) Jonathan Edwards adds that “jealosy is a spirit of dissatisfaction or opposition to the prosperity or happiness of other people.” Now, my jealous heart does not just stop with the stuff of others, but the very gifts that God has uniquely given me, namely my voice. I was told by a seminary professor that my voice was” harsh, adversarial, and disengaging,” and “that I would never be successful in ministry” unless I learn to speak better. Thanks, Dr. Jerkface (real name withheld)! Now, having a voice that sounds roughly like a 70 year old chain-smoking football coach who yells too much can be challenging. I find myself wanting and wishing that I had the sweet sounding voice of other preachers, think Charles Stanley. Furthermore, my jealous heart does not stop there. I can pretty much find myself being envious and jealous of all sorts of things. If we are honest with ourselves, I think most of us will find we all have jealous hearts. Why is that? Simply put, we fail to find ultimate satisfaction in Jesus. Look at all these things we can be jealous of: (Courtesy of James Fowler: www.christinyou.net) • another’s possessions, wealth, assets • another’s position, placement, job, advancement • another’s authority, power, leadership • another’s recognition, praise, prestige • another’s abilities, talents, skills • another’s accomplishments, achievements, success • another’s intelligence, logic, knowledge • another’s personality, social standing • another’s relationships, communication, intimacy, marriage • another’s loyalties, devotions, attachments • another’s age, youth, maturity, experience • another’s looks, appearance, beauty, health • another’s clothes, style, sophistication • another’s opportunities, privileges, advantages, good fortune Donald Whitney further gives this challenge to test our jealous hearts: “Can you serve your boss and others at work, helping them to succeed and be happy, even when they are promoted and you are overlooked? Can you work to make others look good without envy filling your heart? Can you minister to the needs of those whom God exalts and men honor when you yourself are neglected? Can you pray for the ministry of others to prosper when it would cast yours in the shadows?” (Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, p. 122,) Jesus personified this as it is recorded in Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life--a ransom for many." But Jesus was hated for it by the Pharisees (Matt 27:18). When we are jealous of others we say to God, “you have failed me God.” Jealousy, in light of the cross of Jesus, says to God the Father, Your Son’s death means nothing to me. But, a new truck, a better voice, and beach house would really be nice. So, when you are tempted to be jealous of someone or something, stop and think about the ultimate thanks and gratitude you should be showing and expressing to God for the love shown to you at the cross. I got to get back to enjoying my vacation and the amazing life, family, possessions, and voice that God has given me! Pastor Phillip By the way: Be sure to bring you kids out to Vacation Bible School at Antioch Baptist Church starting Sunday Night the 13th and running to the 17th nightly from 6:00 to 8:00. We will have classes from nursery to youth ages. © Copyright 2010
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