1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “… love doesn’t envy (is not jealous of what others have). …”
Here is what Adam Clarke’s Commentary has to say about this verse:
“… (Love) is not grieved because another possesses a greater portion of earthly, intellectual, or spiritual blessings. Those who have this pure love rejoice as much at the happiness, the honor, and comfort of others, … They are ever willing that others should be preferred before them.”
I’m not jealous of what others have. Don’t get me wrong, I do have thoughts of “Wouldn’t it be nice to have that?”, or “I want one, too!” but I am not grieved or angered if someone else has something I want or have strived to achieve. Don’t think I could have taken three days in a row of learning how much love I do not have, so it’s a relief to know I’m off the hot seat today.
I have been the recipient of envy, though. It is like being slugged emotionally when someone else is angry that you have something they want, or that they want something you have. Either way it is a heavy burden for both parties.
When others are jealous of us, guilt at being blessed follows. It stops short the joy of embracing a blessing. Not only is the recipient now burdened that the other person is upset at their having, but the envious one is laden down with emotional baggage at not having the blessing. I can see how envy is indeed a double edged sword, affecting all parties involved. This is why, in my opinion, the devil uses this single emotion to do as much damage as possible.
I think Cain was jealous of Abel and that’s why Cain killed his brother after God accepted Abel’s gift of offering to Him. (See Genesis chapter 4 for more details) It is a clear example of how jealousy hurts all involved.
I have to say, I never thought loving someone would be not being jealous of what they have. And now that I’m aware of it, I will also keep my thoughts in check to be sure to share in the joy of other’s blessings so that their hearts are not burdened for being blessed.
Heavenly Father,
please help me share in another’s joy
when You choose to bestow gifts upon them,
no matter what my circumstances are.
This is all very true, Cee. It’s hard not to be envious, sometimes–we just have to learn to be content with what we have, and feel blessed in it, instead of continually grasping for what we don’t have.