Acts 13:45 tells us that when the Jews saw the crowds that were gathered around to hear Paul and Barnabas preach, they were driven by jealousy and immediately began to slander them and argue against everything they said. It is amazing what jealousy will do to you and the things it will make you do.
The sad thing is, this same spirit of jealousy is prevalent in today's society. I wish I could say it was only in the media, but the sad thing is it is running rampant in the church as well. We do the gospel of Christ and we do the church no justice or good when our thoughts, actions and words are driven by jealousy.
What if instead of probing and prodding around to make other ministries look like a fluke because they are successful we rejoice with them and learn from their successes and we too become effective in kingdom building. If there is one thing that I don't have time for, it is ministers and ministries who think it is their goal in life to belittle other ministers and ministries especially when they are more successful than you are.
Ever heard the statement; "Why can't we all just get along?" Well???? What's the hold up??? Jealousy should never be the motivating factor as to why we do or say anything. How about this statement; "Do not envy..." If you're wondering where that one is, try Exodus 20.
Jealousy led the Jews to stoning Paul and throwing him out of the city for dead, yet God wasn't finished with him and brought him back to preach to other cities and write most of the New Testament. If jealous led them to this extreme what will it lead us to?
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