Love Does Not Envy

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.⁸ Love never fails.”  I Cor. 13:4-8a NIV

God does not envy us or anything we have; in fact, James 1:17 tells us every good and perfect gift is from God. Since He is the one who gives us good things, He would never begrudge or resent us from having them. Quite the opposite, He is generous with us.

Matthew 7:11 reminds us that God is a giver. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” He who created all things gives graciously to those who ask.

Titus 3:4-7 NIV gives us a wonderful picture of His generosity towards us. “⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”  He has made us heirs with Christ Jesus! There is no envy on His part.  And 2 Peter 1:3 tells us God has given us “everything we need for a godly life”.

Jealous FOR Us

Now, Ex. 34:14 does say that on of God’s names is Jealous. He “is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you.” But that is very different.  God is not jealous OF us, He is jealous FOR us.  He desires relationship with us that is not marred by distractions.

Instead of envying our position or begrudging us of good things, His is all about blessing His children!

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Read Consider the Breadth of God’s Love for more!