Hard Feelings, Jealously – 3

Presented by Lauren Stibgen

One of the definitions of jealousy is being protective of one’s possessions or envy. This protection over our possessions or being envious of someone else’s possessions can quickly lead us to breaking one of God’s commandments. Exodus 20:17 tells us, thou shall not covet.

Coveting is an unlawful desire to have something that doesn’t belong to you. At the root of jealous envy can be covetousness.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 shows the jealousy of one brother toward the undeserved compassion and celebration of his brother who had taken his inheritance and gone away to lead a sinful life.

I think we can all picture these hard feelings. Someone you know is given a lot—maybe what they are owed. You continue to work hard and show diligence but never ask for more. Then, this other person comes back, having wasted all of what they had, and they are given more. Plus, everyone is excited to see them! Wait, what? Hello? What about me? I have been here all along with no fanfare, or celebration. Why are we celebrating this person?

In the parable of the prodigal son, we see again how the perception of another being undeserving caused deep jealousy when he was celebrated. We were told the prodigal son had already taken his inheritance, which meant when he returned, a portion of what he was given probably belonged to the brother who was working hard and being obedient. The hardworking brother was coveting what his prodigal brother was being given both in the attention he received and in the things he was being given. He was jealous, and even angry.

Jesus tells us watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).

What are you coveting that shows up as jealousy? Are you desiring a possession that is not yours? Seeking celebration and attention because someone else has received it?

A desire to have abundance and to be celebrated is not wrong. In fact, God wants this for us! God celebrates us! In Zephaniah 3:17 we are told he rejoices over us with gladness and exults over us with loud singing!

It is wrong when this desire for abundance and celebration is born of coveting what someone else has.