Jealousy of Lord’s Work?
Comparing Ministries
Q. I find myself constantly fretting over the successful ministries of others. Sometimes it just doesn’t seem fair. I converted late in life and came from an abusive background. So I didn’t have the time or temperament to prepare for a ministry or start young enough to be successful or make enough money to support a ministry. Any advice?
Answer:
Pay Attention to your Own Work
If we are completely honest most of us would admit that we have this problem to one degree or another at certain times in our lives. It’s helpful to remember the verse:
“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct” (Galatians 6:4-5, NLT).
Individually Responsible
God has made you and me individually responsible to do the best job we can while we are here. I am not responsible for that minister’s lucrative work or that lady’s huge healing ministry. I am responsible to the Lord for what He has assigned me to do, whether it is cleaning the school rooms or changing a diaper.
To Him who is given Much – Much is Required
Jesus tells us that those of us who have been given much will have more required of us. That successful ministry you envy is led by someone who will need to give a greater accounting for his work in the Lord. Yeshua said,
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required – and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more” (Luke 12:48, NASB).
Forget him…You – Follow Me!
Even the apostle Peter had a pang of jealousy when Jesus informed him that he would die in a painful way. In response, Peter turned around and saw Jesus’ beloved disciple, John. In a wave of insecurity Peter asked, “Lord, and what about this man?” In other words, if I’m going to die like this – then how is John going to die? What about him?
I appreciate Jesus’ response: “Jesus said to him, ‘If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!'” (John 21:22, NASB).
What We Do with What We are Given
In a nutshell, it doesn’t matter what’s going on with anyone else and their relationship with God. What matters is what you or I do with what we are given. It is Peter who later advised Christians to “rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind” (1 Peter 2:1).
Uniquely Gifted for God’s Assignment
Finally, we are each God’s unique creation – individually gifted to work for His Glory. Ephesians 2:10 says,
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Saved by Grace – but granted Rewards
Although I am saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8), I am accountable to the Lord for every careless word I say (Matthew 12:36). I am accountable to the Lord for my thought life (Romans 2:15-16). And I am accountable for every little thing I do (2 Corinthians 5:10). The Lord will reward me for how well I carry out His duties that He entrusted to me while I live out my short life on earth.