Morning with Ebenezer

LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV

The Greek word translated “envy” means “to burn with zeal.” Literally, the sense is “to be heated or to boil over with envy, hatred, or anger.” In the context of 1 Corinthians 13, the idea is that love does not focus on personal desires. It is not eager to increase possessions. God’s type of love is selfless, not selfish.

In contrast to God’s command, the Corinthian believers were ranking some spiritual gifts as more important than others and envying those who had the “best” gifts. In chapter 12, Paul points out that the different gifts are meant to serve one another and build up the church. No one person has all the gifts, but each child of God has at least one, and love demands that each gift be used to serve others rather than self.(http://www.gotquestions.org/)

Most of the time we envy others people gifts in the Church. We tend to want to be like so and so and think by that we will be seen as powerful people in the body of Christ. In the mean time in our normal lives; we tend to desire being like some people who we think are more successful than us. We don't appreciate what God has given us and end up hurting ourselves.

This morning, I want to encourage you to learn to rejoice when others people are blessed. We are not called to envy others but to love and rejoice with them in their success. If there is a friend or a person you know and has been promoted. You just rejoice with that person knowing that God has a good plan for you too!

I believe you have been given something with God. You are neither talentless nor gift-less; there is something in you that is so unique. If you seek the face of the Lord and ask Him to show you the purpose of your being. He will surely reveal everything you need to know about the gifts and talents He has deposited in you. We shall continue with this Series of Love according to 1 Corinthians 13 tomorrow if God wishes, God bless You! 

****Morning Prayer****

Pray this prayer with me by faith and God is going to answer your prayer....

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me where I felt bad seeing others blessed. Help me to rejoice with those who rejoice and to love everyone in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.