Don't Envy the World
3rd John 3-5, Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
This is one of the most misinterpreted texts, today. This Scripture is telling us that John’s desire is that all believers prosper spiritually and be in good health spiritually and physically.
Presently most preachers are focusing on the teaching of worldly prosperity, which can be termed one of the doctrines of the devil according to 1st Timothy 4:1, Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. It is common taught that if you are serving God you should not be poor. However this is not true. Jesus, Himself said in Matthew 26:11 that the poor will always be with us. He said this although He knew that His Father has promised to bless all who serve Him faithfully and adhere to His Commandments. He knew of the blessings promised to those who are obedient to Him, help others, give one tenth of their earnings and also free will offerings to His Ministry.
Money gathered in the Ministry is not for someone’s selfish personal use but for the satisfying of the different needs of the Ministry.
The prosperity doctrine is steadily taking away the craving which persons should have for salvation. Many preachers and teachers are avoiding the teaching of the effects of sin, the need for repentance and conversion and the necessity of restitution. Their main focus is on world prosperity and this has sidetracked persons from seeking salvation through Jesus Christ, instead persons are fervently seeking wealth and other temporary things which will burn with fire and brimstone. This doctrine of prosperity breeds covetousness and greed.
Accumulating wealth in itself is not evil but it becomes evil when we twist the Scriptures to influence persons to deviate from the plain path and begin worshipping the god of materialism. Wealth and riches also become sin when it is obtained unfairly. Many persons who desire to walk with Christ think that they are missing out on earthly goodies. Their itching ears and palms push them into the den of iniquity. They may achieve their heart’s desire yet have no peace. Their disobedience has created a spiritual void which can only be filled when the focus is turned to Almighty God.
Have you ever thought that being a disciple of Christ means you are missing out on the things of the world? Have you ever thought about what life would be like if you had never had knowledge of Jesus? Do you waste precious minutes imagining what it would be like to live your lives in pursuit of happiness through money, possessions, social status and to not have the moral constraints place upon you as is done since you have accepted Christ as your Saviour.
Are you envious of those who live in the world? Does it seem like they get all the freedom and fun in life? I’m sure you can all think of examples in your own lives where your religious beliefs have prevented you from doing something that you would have liked to do.
Psalm 73 addresses this very issue of coveting the things that are of the world. Psalm 73:1 says, Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. Why did the psalmist believe that God was good to Him? In Psalm 73:3 he tells us, for I was envious of the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. It is this prosperity of the wicked that is the temptation to us, for the flesh seeks pleasure and sometimes what is out there in the world seems so much more pleasurable. It is easy to look at the proud or wicked person and only see their loose way of life and the ease with which they seem to pass through this world. This is deception; the one who serves God faithfully without wealth is better than those who seem to possess much of earth’s goods and are without Christ. Proverbs 17:1 reminds us, Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
Believers must know that the flesh has the basic characteristic of envy and it’s something that our spiritual mind has to keep under control. It is something that the Psalmist says almost got the better of him. David realized the necessity of keeping focused in Psa. 73:2, he stated but as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. His feet had almost stumbled; he had almost slipped up because of his envy. Do you remember what happened to him when he was lured by his desire for Bathsheba? This was more than a casual look he had almost lost his spiritual relationship with God. Let us look at some of the snares we may encounter when we seek or obtain prosperity which is not of God.
Having obtained the goodies, it seems as if they are not under any constraints. They appear happy while others are afflicted with the burdens of life. Psa. 73:5 states, for they are not in trouble as others; neither are they plagued like other men. They have nothing to worry about until death takes them.
They are proud of their accomplishments, their possessions, their power, their status and they wear it with pride like a beautiful necklace that they show off to everyone and they don’t have any reservations about being unjust or cruel to others. Their sole intention is to achieve and gain mobility in society. They desire to inflate their pride. Therefore, pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. (Psa. 73:6-9)
They have more than they could reasonably expect, they have power, money, possessions yet they are always seeking to gain more.
Psa. 73:12 tells us Behold, these are the ungodly who prosper in the world, and they increase in riches. How often do we feel like that, when we see wicked people enjoying a life of ease, having much but labouring little? How sad do you feel because of their self-centredness? How does it impact you when they lack care for others, only considering themselves.
This is the problem that the Psalmist faces, he is struggling to understand the affluence of the world, but he knew that the world was not a greater attraction than the attraction of everlasting life. He is peering over that wall and contemplating all the things that he sees and I’m sure we do the very same thing. Do we struggle with the same thoughts; do we wish we were on the other side of the wall?
The human mind could not understand how God allowed persons to gain prosperity although they refused to accept Him in truth. David also struggled with this though, he said, in Psalm 73:16-17 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Yes, it was in the place of truth that David got a full understanding of the end of all those who crave after and obtain ungodly prosperity. Therefore, I encourage those of you who desire to serve God faithfully to wait patiently on the Lord. He will bless you as He desires. Do not become envious of the goodies around you. God will give you as He desires. Be careful of the gifts which the Devil brings. I would like you to know that unlike God he gives nothing free. Therefore, seek and ask for the right path and walk in it.
Let us pray
Almighty God my loving and kind Father, I thank You for providing my daily needs. Please help me to understand the importance of being contented with Your provision. I pray that the Holy Spirit teach me how to be thankful and to always praise You for Your goodness towards me even when I am discontented and show signs of envy. Please help me to recognise those who You have sent to help me and to express my gratitude to them. Help me to care for others as I desire to me cared for. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Vanity of vanities saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
What profit hath a man of all his labours which he taketh under the sun?
One generation passeth away and another generation cometh but the earth abideth forever.
The sun also ariseth and the sun goeth down and hasteth to its place where it arose
The wind goeth toward the south and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually and the wind returneth again according to its circuits.
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come thither they return again
All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing. Ecclestiastes 1:2-8
Writer - A. E. FISHER
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