Two Ways to Deal With the Prosperity of Others? –Genesis 26:14

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Genesis 25:27-28:5

These are tough times.  I spoke with someone today who has been out of work for almost a year.  Several of my friends are battling life threatening health problems and/or many have family members who are seriously ill.  Too many couples I know are considering divorce.

When you’re going through a hard place, how do you deal with the prosperity of others?

I’m afraid that most of us react the same way the Philistines did when they saw the supernatural prosperity of Isaac.

When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. He acquired so many flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and servants that the Philistines became jealous of him. So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham. –Genesis 26: 12-15

Is jealousy the initial reaction of most human beings?

Have you ever asked yourself, a friend, or God…

• Why do they have it so easy?
• Why do they have such an easy time getting pregnant and having babies?
• Why do they seem to be so healthy?
• Why do they have such a nice house?
• Why do they have such a wonderful marriage?
• Why do they have such a healthy family?
• Why do they get all the promotions?
• Why do they never struggle with their weight?

The Philistines not only asked those questions they took their jealousy to the next level; they decided to destroy Isaac through his most important resource, his water.

I feel pretty confident in saying that none of us have filled our neighbors wells with dirt, but we have done things just as destructive…

• Torn them down with our words
• Started rumors and repeated gossip about them
• Stopped being their friend

Whether we’re throwing dirt in a well or spreading the destructive venom of gossip, God cannot and will not bless that behavior.  The consequences of unbridled jealousy have eternal consequences, set a bad example to other Christians (especially our children), and cause non-Christians to be repulsed by our hypocrisy.

What should we do when we feel the fire of jealousy rising up?

1. Call it what it is: “Lord, I’m jealous.  Forgive me.”
2. Pray for greater blessings to be given to that person.

Repeat the process as often as necessary.

I’m sure jealousy will be one of Satan’s favorite tools until Jesus returns, but when we recognize what it is, where it comes from and then remember how God feels about it, letting go of those feelings of envy and jealousy will become much easier.

Heavenly Father, forgive us of our jealous thoughts and feelings.  Holy Spirit, help us to immediately recognize the spirit of jealousy rising up within us.  Help us to say “no” to those feelings and send genuine blessings in place of jealousy and envy.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Genesis 28:6-30:24