The only way out of the spirit of envy is to enter the presence of the Lord. His presence radiates holiness, conviction and contentment. In His presence our hearts are touched with conviction and with repentance; forgiveness will flow from the beauty of His love and freedom will loosen us from the trap of envy. Contentment in the words of Paul is, Godliness accompanied with contentment is great and abundant gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world; for if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (I Timothy 6:6-8). This is the perfect and sure way to keep the door closed to the spirit of envy and jealousy. If we are citizens of heaven, why are envying someone’s earthly treasures? “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God for you.” Where there is godliness, there there is contentment; and from contentment thanksgiving will spring forth from the heart of the one who accepts the sovereignty of God- For this is the will of God for you.
Envy and jealousy compelled Cain to kill his brother, Abel. Had he gone into the presence of the Lord, he would had repented of his evil ways of envy, his life would have had been different, and so would have been the world of that time. In
First Kings twenty-one we read the story of King Ahab’s envy over Naboth’s vineyard. His envy was so strong that he killed Naboth for his vineyard. Jealousy and envy of Joseph caused his brothers to sell him as slave; guided by the spirit of envy and jealousy, a person is turned into a murderer, as we see in Cain and King Ahab. Where there is envy and jealousy, there is no contentment. In Philippians 4:11-12 Paul teaches us the secret of contentment: . . . For I have learned how to be content in whatever state I am; I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. In contentment rejoice with the fact that you are “citizens of the state which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await the Lord Jesus Christ, Savior, Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself (Philippians 3:20-21). Yes, we are citizens of heaven; our treasure is in heaven where our hearts should be. Do you see a wicked person prospering? Know that his treasure in eternity is of no valor, for he will take nothing with him when he dies. God promised to bless the righteous; God declares blessed the home of the righteous (Proverbs 3: 33), now and in eternity.
Remember godliness with contentment is of much gain; let the world worship things, but you, child of God, follow Him; empty yourself of worldly desires, for the gate to heaven is narrow and we cannot take the world with us. For this reason very few will be able to pass through it. Apply contentment to your life today and be thankful for what you have in Christ, His heavenly riches are the only riches you can take with you.
Light from the Word 