Why should we envy the rich? Should we?
Before I elaborate my answers let me explain first the preceding ideas. I used the word envy that means being jealous of what others have. You covet. You desire something that doesn’t belong to you. Thus, is to envy evil then?
Certainly not, emotions are emotions. They are neither good nor bad. They are feelings that tend to arise and flows naturally to each and everyone of us. It is part of being you and me. But emotions for sure like envy has a huge impact to our words and actions. They can be very bad if you let it control over you. When we execute our emotions that is when judgment enters the picture. Our motives and actions determine us. God indeed will be our righteous judge.
Please read full explanations first why can I say that I envy the wealthy. If I will envy the rich there is only one sole reason.
Psalms 98:9 KJV –Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Even God Himself was named Jealous, He is a jealous God. Is He evil then? Absolutely not. He wants to be worshipped alone and He wants us to give our very best. If God can be jealous at times then we can be jealous at times too. The real questions are: when and how should we envy?
Exodus 34:14 KJV – For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Emotions can either be positive or negative it depends on how we treat and act on them. Anything in excess should be avoided including emotions as well. How about wrath? Does God feel wrath? What does He do with wrath? Through His wrath He exercises His justice and fairness.
Romans 1:18 KJV – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
He never uses wrath in excess and does not encourage us to be too emotional.
Proverbs 29:11 KJV – A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Psalms 103:9 KJV – He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
Being angry sometimes is acceptable when you don’t commit any sin and let it stay in your heart for the shortest duration. But being angry most of the time or for no reason at all is a different story.
Ephesians 4:26 KJV – Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Some believe that being perfect is exactly as “to be perfect” – being flawless or faultless. If that’s what it means then no one can/will be perfect in this lifetime. Since we are full of limitations and weaknesses. I only know one who became a perfect man – our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Peter 2:21-22 KJV – For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth
Anyone who won’t acknowledge his imperfections has more flaws than he thinks. Nobody won’t ask for help when he don’t feel like needing one. How can he ask when he don’t know what to ask? The most difficult challenge when buying was finding something you can’t describe because you’ve never seen nor heard of it yet. It is something you never knew existed. How can you ask and buy that thing in any store?
You will not pray if you don’t believe in prayers. You might experiment to close your eyes and say some words but that is not the right way of praying. It becomes utterly useless and ineffective without faith.
Romans 10:14 KJV – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
We have to acknowledge things about us so we can start asking and seeking. We have to accept who we really are before we can accept and believe that there is a Creator of everything. In order to have faith in Him we must feel the need of Him and start acknowledging our vulnerabilities. We need to come closer as He did that beforehand by giving us grace thru believing the gospel. We need to seek Him first before we can enjoy His help and guidance. We need Him never the other way around. He can replace us anytime He wants. We are just ordinary servants of God. If King Saul lost his royalty because of disobedience how much easier God can deny us. He is God and we are mere men who should submit to His will to gain favor.
However, if you wanted to be an extraordinary and exceptional servant of God, we need to begin somewhere. Let us start small by accepting who we are. Being a parent, no one can be as good as our children. They are irreplaceable and priceless to us. The same with God, we should perform and do extremely well to please God exceedingly. Thus, we being replaceable becomes irreplaceable. Though He gave us the right to become His sons. It is still up to us to grab and prove that we are worthy to be part of His family. And if God did accept and confirmed our destiny no one can take us away from His hand. Obedience is and always been the key.
The second part will explain briefly, why do I envy the rich. Should we envy the rich? Do we need to envy the rich? What should we envy from the wealthy?
Please click here for part 2 – Why do I envy the rich?
John 1:12 KJV – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Exodus 19:5 KJV –Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Proverbs 15:20 KJV – A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
Romans 8:31 KJV – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
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May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you today.