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- Oct 26, 2007
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Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless--like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4 NLT
So much human motivation crawls from the carcass of envy. Instead of implementing new ideas for the right reasons, men find themselves constantly motivated by envy.
Solomon uses overstatement to share God’s wisdom about the role that envy often plays in inspiring achievement, and he ends his counsel with “This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 4:4). When a man manages his motivations, he can move away from envy to pure motives that encourage contentment and echo into eternity.
Paul wrote, “Love…does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). When you work because of love for God and others, your work encourages your soul and enters eternity.
David wrote, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8). Remember, God sees envy. But also remember that He is always nearby, ready to help you make every motive meaningful.
Prayer: Father, help me escape envy by managing my motivations, aligning them with Yours.
So much human motivation crawls from the carcass of envy. Instead of implementing new ideas for the right reasons, men find themselves constantly motivated by envy.
Solomon uses overstatement to share God’s wisdom about the role that envy often plays in inspiring achievement, and he ends his counsel with “This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 4:4). When a man manages his motivations, he can move away from envy to pure motives that encourage contentment and echo into eternity.
Paul wrote, “Love…does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). When you work because of love for God and others, your work encourages your soul and enters eternity.
David wrote, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8). Remember, God sees envy. But also remember that He is always nearby, ready to help you make every motive meaningful.
Prayer: Father, help me escape envy by managing my motivations, aligning them with Yours.
