For those in prison, to be envious is hard not to do. When you have nothing, and you see an inmate with a locker full of food, it is hard not to envy. Envy and coveting go hand in hand. We envy what others have. We covet what they have. Then we steal and kill for what they have. That is why Paul says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:11, 12.
Paul was talking to his young friend Timothy. He wanted to make sure that Timothy would be properly instructed in this matter. To Timothy, Paul said, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy 6:6-9. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…”. Hebrews 13:5.
Another problem with envy is it tends to produce gossip. You know how it goes, you confide in a “friend” some information that you want to share, but want it kept confidential. Later on your “friend” becomes envious of you for some reason and then betrays your confidence. “Gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” Proverbs 11:13.
Talking about wicked people, Paul says, “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy (there is that word envy), murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.” Romans 1:29-31.
All because of envy. The point is, evil is evil. A gossiper who breaks faith and betrays a confidence is a wicked person. Of course she will not think so, but the Bible says she is. Never are we to base our judgment on what we feel, but on the facts as the Word of God calls it. It is something like football. You, standing in the stadium may see a play and feel that it was okay. The football player doing the play may feel that it was okay. In fact, the whole stadium may feel that it was OK. But if the referee says it was a wrong, it was wrong and that is that.
Again, that is why so few people are going to heaven. They think they have a right to gossip, or slander, or do this or that, since, they are “righteous” and the other person is a “sinner”. There are people in the church going around talking about this person who is gay, or that person who is divorced or that one who did this or that. Some even take others to court. The Bible says that the one going around gossiping is wicked and will not be in heaven. People, keep your mouths shut. Practice self-control.
This is another part of envy, looking up to the neighbors. Look at what is happening in our society. Look at the long hours we are putting into work, and for what? For things of this world that are about to pass away. Why? No one is content. Everyone is off trying to find contentment. Work, work, work. Buy, buy, buy. Get, get, get.
The consequences of all this are broken lives, broken families, broken relationships. It doesn’t have to be that way if you will follow the advice of the Bible. “Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6.
“‘For whom am I toiling’, he asked, ‘and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?’ This too is meaningless — a miserable business’”! Ecclesiastes 4:8.
Please folks, calm down, cut back and reduce your wants and your envy of what everyone else has. You don’t need it. All you need is what Jesus offers. Peace, health, happiness, joy and eternal life. Let this world go.
Another aspect of this “envy” and “gossip” are the TV and radio talk shows. There is nothing more sinful, wicked and godless than these shows. Always gossiping and getting into everyone’s business. Totally against God. None of it does any good. All this airing dirty laundry is only for money, fame or spite. But lives are being ruined and destroyed. Be quiet, says the Bible, and know that God is God.