The Antithesis of Jealousy

(Pro 23:15 KJV)  My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

This is the antithesis of jealousy.  The specific context is wisdom but the principle applies across the board.  So often when we see someone else doing well or having a great moment we get petty and wonder why they were promoted and we were not.  I guess you could call it a common response.  Think of a child who sees another child receive a piece of candy or a cookie and the first response is “me too.”  Think of a parade where one of the participants moves along throwing some kind of swag to the crowd.  Hands go up and people start pushing.

We are to be different.  We are to “rejoice” (be glad NASB) (8055) for anyone who is getting a blessing.  If your friend loses weight, rejoice.  Don’t buy him a cookie or eat a pizza in front of him, rejoice.  And make it genuine.

So?  Drive them crazy.  Leave the jealousy for the pagans and pseudo-Christians.  Let love rule in your life and heart.  Of course, that is not possible if you don’t have the love of God in your heart.  If that is the problem, remember it is always available.