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Contentment vs Envy
Learning to be content and stop coveting
What is Envy?
Envy is craving what another has. In its most innocent form, it blinds us to the blessings we have and causes us to begrudge what others have. In the most lethal form, it consumes the heart with resentment, controls our desires and cravings, and poisons the bloodstream with envy of the worst kind that robs of joy. It constantly wants more and is in search of a tomorrow that may not happen and will not satisfy.
What do we want?
Why do we search for something more and pursue it with all our might? Why do we desire what another person has? Well, the most enviable place is that of the trifecta of pleasure. It is the place of prosperity, security, and flexibility. It is a place a man has reached in the parable recorded in Luke 12:16-21. This man has prosperity – “ample goods.” “So much money I don;t know what to do with it all.” He has security – “laid up for many years.” “I’m never going to run out.” He has flexibility – time to relax, eat, drink, be merry “Now, I can take life easy. I can do what I want, when I want, where I want, without a care in the world.” He does not have the ability to keep it however; God says to him, “Fool, this night your soul will be required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” Fool: meaning, you’re senseless; lacking perspective; short-sighted. With one word Jesus exposes the heart.
"...the most enviable place is that of the trifecta of pleasure. It is the place of prosperity, security, and flexibility"
How is envy resolved? How is contentment found?
That is the antidote for envy; that my Heavenly Father confronts me wisely. He cares so deeply about the eternal ramifications of envy that He actually confronts me. He steps in and places His finger on our hearts and confronts us.
"Contentment is learned."
Jesus warns us to be doubly on guard against all covetousness. All of it. Big or small. The fool is one who stores up for himself goods on this earth, pursuing that trifecta of pleasure, contentment though is this: being “rich toward God.” What does it look like for you to shift that posture and become rich toward God, not just monetarily, but in everything rich toward God?
Contentment is learned. Paul says, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13) Our blessings are in and through Him and He haas given everything that we need. Contentment is not having nothing. It is having enough. Consider this even, it might not be that God wants more for you, more can mean more striving and toil and preoccupation, it might be that God want less for you.
