The Green Eyed Monster

Pslam 73:2-3

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Look around and it is easy to see people that have something that you want.  On TV famous people have wealth, good looks, charisma, and the adoration of millions.  Walking down the street you might see half a dozen people that have something that you wish you had (nice watch, designer purse, etc.).  It typically isn’t hard to think of someone with a better job than you.  The envy list just goes on and on.

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man. – Proverbs 27:20

But of course all of that is folly.  Why should we envy anyone for anything?  The Pslamist goes on:

When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

There’s the rub.  For the man or woman that has it all on Earth but fails to accept the free gift Jesus offered on the cross, what good are all their worldly gains?

The gift of salvation is so far above any worldly gain that it cannot possibly compare.  The brief time we have on Earth is but a breath compared to the eternity we face ahead of us after life.  When you ponder the larger picture, the brand name on your watch or purse seems rather insignificant, doesn’t it?

Notice too, how the pslamist gained this perspective: “till I entered the sanctuary of God”  Sometimes it takes going to church or sitting down before God for him to speak to us.  Sometimes he just wants our undivided attention.  I find that he speaks to me the most when I shut up and listen.  Funny how that works.