I'm Jealous

Read:

Matthew 16:20 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Think:

In Jesus' parable about the workers in a vineyard, a landowner hires laborers throughout the day and pays the same wage to those who worked for only an hour as to those who toiled all day. This irritates the full-day workers, but the landowner responds, saying, "Why does it concern you if I am generous to them? You did not receive any less. It is my money, and I have the freedom to do as I please."

What if God chooses to bless someone more abundantly than me? Ultimately, it should not matter to us if God decides to bestow a generous blessing upon another person. We often find ourselves asking, "Why them and not me?" However, Jesus' words in Matthew 20 reveal that the Master is fair to those who worked all day and exceptionally generous to those who arrived later. His generosity toward others does not diminish his fairness to the early workers.

Similarly, God's generosity toward people you know and love, or even those you see from afar, does not diminish his fairness to you. His plans for you are good. When jealousy begins to creep in, remember that God is not only fair but also blesses you abundantly. So why should it concern you if he generously blesses others as well? Can you trust that God has your best interests at heart? If God's generosity looks different or seems more lavish toward someone else, can you truly say it is your concern? God loves you and loves others. He is fair, and he is generous.

Jesus concludes this parable with the famous line, "So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last." The kingdom of God operates differently from the world. As followers of Jesus, we must consistently submit to God's ways and trust that they are good.

Apply:

When you feel jealousy come on, recognize it. Try saying something like, “I feel jealous right now. But I know that God has blessed me abundantly. I trust that God works out all things for my good.

Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessings. help me to stay focused on what you have done for me and be grateful. Lord, help me to cultivate a heart of gratitude each day, to see your hand at work in both the big and small things. In Jesus' name, Amen.