All week, we have been talking about envy, an emotion that is rampant among many of us. While envy might feel good in the moment, the truth is that it is a bad friend to us. Proverbs 14:30 puts it this way, “Envy rots the bones” (NLT). If we let it, envy will eat away at us. There is a better way than living plagued by feelings of envy, and that is celebrating with the people around us for God’s goodness to them, rather than being envious of them.
We are reminded in Romans 12 that we are called to celebrate with those who are happy rather than to be envious of them and of what God has given them. This chapter begins with the call for each one of us to live ourselves “as a living and holy sacrifice” before God, letting Him change and transform our hearts (verses 1-2). Then, Paul continued by describing what it looks like to live our lives in that manner, set apart and fully devoted to Christ. Much of Paul’s teaching in this passage about what it looks like to live lives set apart for Christ involves how we treat others. For example, he wrote in verse 9, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.” This is a call to let our love for others be genuine, truly caring. According to Paul, living “in harmony” with the people around us means being ready to help them and refusing to curse those who persecute us (verses 10-13). Clearly, our call as followers of Christ is to fight for peace and reconciliation with others as we seek to love them. Next, Paul wrote, “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep” (verse 15). Our focus today is on the first part of this verse: “Be happy with those who are happy.” Envy tempts us to feel jealous or disappointed at other people’s gifts and accomplishments if we have not achieved or received them. Instead, Scripture calls us to celebrate with them, remembering that God’s goodness does not stop at us; it extends to everyone around us! As we celebrate God’s goodness toward them, feelings of envy will begin to fade away.
Earlier this week, we talked about the truths that God is good, God is good to the people around us, and God is good to us. As a result, we can celebrate His goodness both to us and to the people around us. Imagine the impact if we chose to let go of envy and to celebrate with others when God, in His goodness, gives them good gifts and shows His care and provision for them. We would find that our own joy increases and our envy decreases as we recognize God’s goodness all around us.
Who have you felt envy toward because of how God has taken care of them and provided for them? Find a way to celebrate with them today. Send them a kind, celebratory text message, invite them to join you for coffee to celebrate, or find another way to celebrate with them. As you choose to celebrate, you will find envy fade as you recognize God’s goodness toward that person and join them in celebrating.
“God, as I seek to celebrate with other people instead of giving into envy, stretch me”
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
