Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. (Prov 24:19-20)
We have something greater than the homes built on the ocean, the ones that overlook beautiful lakes, larger than the ones that adorn the hillsides - we have a home in Heaven.
Envying those who seem to have more doesn't really get us anywhere. They aren't going to share any of it with us, nor do they even realize how much their sinful pride has interfered with their everlasting life. They see and do what they want and they reach out for bigger and better things, placing themselves in debt. Not a material debt, mind you, but an eternal debt. They somehow believe that eternal life is like winning the lottery. They have a winning ticket so collecting the prize money is all they have to do. They believe, so therefore, they are guaranteed. They do not (actually some refuse) to worship God! They use His name in vain, they offer nothing in the form of assistance to those who have less - they live only for themselves.
I do not want to be that kind of person - actually, I never did. I have nothing because I give freely. I always have. Wanting to do the things that are pleasing to God is more important to me than having a new car, a bigger home or designer clothes. The luxuries of life no longer impress me. I am impressed by only one - Jesus!
"We must not in any case fret ourselves, or make ourselves uneasy, whatever God does in his providence how disagreeable soever it is to our sentiments, interests, and expectations, we must acquiesce in it. Even that which grieves us must not fret us; nor must our eye be evil against any because God is good. Are we more wise or just than he? If wicked people prosper, we must not therefore incline to do as they do." (Matthew Henry)
(photo by Celia Darrigo)
