There’s a green-eyed monster on the loose.
I’ve seen it! Maybe you have, too.
No, I’m not referring to the Steppenwolf song, “Monster”, or “Green Eyed Lady” by Sugarloaf. I’m not mixed up; though some may argue that point. I’m not even HALF insane.
And, I have not listened to Michael Savage for at least a year!
There IS a green-eyed monster; not the bridge troll in “Three Billy Goats Gruff”, or something you’d see in a class B movie.
At times it is hard to detect; like a chameleon, it blends in very well with its surroundings.
But it’s loose.
It could be male or female, young or old. It cares nothing about anything, except itself.
It has no political preference. Religion doesn’t seem to bother it, as it has been seen a number of times sprawled all over church pews.
It actually prefers the slogan seen on a lot of bumpers, “Coexist”.
But it’s not wise to try and coexist with something as deadly as a green-eyed monster!
And it makes a lousy pet.
The green-eyed monster I’m talking about is ENVY (its partner, its “significant other”, is known as Jealousy).
“Some people don’t know what it is to work hard. They have so much and don’t even have to work for it. I’ve never had much and have had to work hard all my life.” Such is the remark someone said to a friend of ours the other day; referring to some unnamed “lazies”.
It sounds as though the one who made the comment has green eyes. Green with envy and jealousy. Like they had been bitten by ol’ Green Eyes.
Ever heard of such a thing? Have you ever met a person who talks that way?
Have you? Do you?
What color are your eyes?
Are you envious of others? Are you irritated when others appear to have more than you?
Why?
Do you know EVERYTHING about the person you envy? Is it just barely possible you know little to nothing about the lazy bum you are jealous of?
Yes, some folks seem to “have it made”! They seem to have “the touch”. Everything they set out to do succeeds. But even those people work harder than most people realize, or want to admit.
I have this attitude, when I hear of someone succeeding: Great! Praise God! I hope God is the One blessing them, for “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22 NLT) Because if God is blessing them, I can believe God will do the same for me. God is no respecter of people. He doesn’t have favorites; ALL His kids are His favorites!
“Rich” doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of money; but it doesn’t mean a person WON’T have a lot, either. It DOES mean that the blessing of God enables a person to have more than enough for their needs, so they can bless others.
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NKJV)
“And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God…” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NKJV)
Scripture teaches the blessing of God is upon the giver; the one who delights in giving. It is my experience, I’ve seen it numerous times, one cannot be envious or jealous of others and be a generous person at the same time. It just won’t work. Jealousy and envy act like chokeholds around the neck of generosity. They clinch their bony fingers around the person’s heart, refusing to allow anything out.
“No! You can’t, you won’t, give! I won’t let you give!”
Unfortunately, by allowing nothing to LEAVE, they allow nothing to ENTER.
And it is impossible to receive if everything is shut up tight.
Maybe it’s time to check up on your heart?
Instead of complaining about others having “so much”, how about learning God’s fundamental principle of generosity. Forget all about what YOU should have, and start asking God what you can do to BLESS OTHERS. Rejoice when others are blessed. Rejoice and complain not!
Here are a few scriptures that may help sort this thing out:
“There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” (Proverbs 11:24-25 NKJV)
“Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV)
“Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 MSG)
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT)
“Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT)
I’ll say it again – one cannot be envious or jealous of others and be a generous person at the same time. If you are worried about what others are getting, how easy they seem to have it, or how unfair God appears to be, you will continually sabotage any kind of blessing the Lord may be trying to send your way. And eventually you will become bitter towards God; your joy will turn into sorrow, your beauty into ashes, and strength into weakness.
So, the next time you hear of someone receiving a blessing, an honor, or anything good, REJOICE! GIVE smiles, GIVE heart felt compliments, GIVE congratulations, etc.
You will find the blessing of God running throughout your life!
And that old green-eyed monster will starve to death!
“GIVE, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38 ESV)
Jan Grace 