Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:26
The apostle Paul in his great hymn of love (1 Corinthians 13) reminds us that Christian love does not envy. Such love does not become discontented at another's good fortune.
God has blessed each of us with material blessings. He has also blessed our neighbor. We can obtain our neighbor's possessions through purchase, barter, inheritance, or other ways that are pleasing to God. If we cannot obtain them "fair and square," we should not try to get them "by hook and by crook." God wants us to be content with the things He gives us and to be happy about our neighbor's good fortune.
We need to fight against envy. There is no reason for any of us to become envious. God has been good to us without any merit or worthiness of our own. With Jacob we must confess: "I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant" (Genesis 32:10).
Only by God's grace are we the beneficiaries of His love in Christ. He has given us the gift of salvation for time and eternity. Far from envying anyone, we thank God for His undeserved blessings on us and those we love.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all Your gifts of love to me and my neighbor. Amen.
(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 23-24 Matthew 17
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