Characteristics of Love #3 – Not Envious

“Love does not envy. . . .“ I Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

A lot of the division and confusion in families today stems from envy. James 3:16 says, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

Envy sprouts from a relationship of competition and comparison. Society is partly to blame for the unrealistic standards to which it aspires . . . to look a certain way, to own certain things, to achieve at certain levels. Human nature is never satisfied with its lot in life and aspires instead to what somebody else has. Envy causes you to be unhappy at the success or blessings that come to somebody else. It is a selfish, ingrown emotion that rots the bones. (See Proverbs 14:30.)

True godly love breaks the power of envy through attempting to COMPLETE, not compete or compare. Recognize how God has made you unique and different from others; and for the purpose of bringing something into their life. Do not be jealous.. . be generous.

It would be a boring world if everyone were cut from the same mold. God is creative and enjoys variety. He loves YOU just the way YOU are and has an exciting “niche” for you to fill on this earth. As you FOCUS on His plan for YOUR life, you will never envy others.

PRAY:
“Lord, I have no reason to compare myself with others,* for You have given me ‘ALL things that pertain unto LIFE and GODLINESS.* For this I am grateful. Help me to affirm the value of others through You!”

*Galatians 6:14 (NIV) (paraphrased) and II Peter 1:3