For today’s Bible verse for business, I’d like to continue on in I Corinthians 13. Last week we looked at v. 4 “Love suffers long and is kind.” Today, let’s go on in verse 4 and look at “love does not envy.”
As we relate this to our businesses, we need to ask ourselves if we envy anyone else. At first glance, you may say no. But if you look deeper, sometimes you find there is some envy going on when you see someone else’s success. I know I have to admit I am guilty when it comes to this.
I may hear of another business owner who has a LOT more subscribers on their email list than I do. Or they may make a lot more money. Or they may have opportunities opened to them that I would love to have. All of these things can make us feel envious, if we let it. We have to guard ourselves and be truly happy for others when they achieve success.
I think one of the reasons why envy is warned against in the Bible is that it makes us feel inferior. We begin to compare where we are with where others are (or appear to be in our eyes) and we come up short.
Comparisons can also cause ungratefulness. You might be very happy with where you are in your business until someone else comes along that seems to be doing better. All of a sudden, we’re not so happy anymore. We become discontented and frustrated. Not very godly characteristics.
Isn’t is wonderful that God says all these things for our benefit? He knows that if we give in to envy, we are going to suffer ourselves by bringing on the feelings I talked about above. We have a GREAT God!
If you would like some more insight into what the Bible says about running our businesses, visit Christian Business Ethics.
Thanks Laurie. I’m just now coming out of my fog after the Say What You Mean Convention last week. Great info as usual. Sorry I wasn’t commenting on the last few!
Good Morning Laurie,
This is an awesome thought you have given us again today. It caught me in a situation where working in a field of people who do envy and always are looking at what you are doing and how it is going constantly keeps me encouraging them as to how wonderful God is working in their lives, their businesses and more. Sometimes we are called to inject good thoughts into people’s minds of God really IS blessing them and help them to see it.
I pray you will always know how appreciative we are for all you have spoken into our lives. I have not been as faithful or believing in my own success like I can believe for others…thus, you helped me again today……with this message. I don’t envy or covet, I just need a slap on the back with wisdom, God’s guidance when I wind up walking in an area of newness and lack of knowlege. Am I making myself clear? lol Still trying to make it work….and well on the mend health wise now…Thanks for you prayers. What could have been a death sentence, God turned to healing. Amen
Ready to go again.
Blessings from heaven to you and Dan…
Love in Christ,
Joyce
JoJo,
I know the Say What You Mean Convention is always such a big job for you. I hope it all went great!
Joyce,
Thanks for your comment. It’s so good to hear from you and know you are ok. Praise to God!
You are SO talented. I know you can see success if you keep on keeping on!
Blessings to you and Cliff.
Laurie,
I richly enjoy being on your list. Admiration is reserved in my heart for anyone loving the Lord. Your love for Him has been why I maintained your link. I am new at the internet thing and I love it. My business partners love Christ and are teaching me daily. One of our top leaders is a Christian so open of his love for others. We all follow in life. We must be careful and wise. I find following people like you makes me have tears of joy as we are not alone. Keep up the good work and tell Jesus this little man in the midwest is proud of Him for all His love and manifold blessings He has so richly laid within and before us.
Thank you so much, Johnny. I”m glad to have you on my list!