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Presented by Lauren Stibgen
Whether at work or at home, we can all experience the feeling of working harder than someone else. We are examining the hard feelings of jealousy. We have seen how jealousy can truly be rooted in envy, and in this case, it is envy about the perceived advantage someone may have when they don’t work as hard as we do.
For some of us this could have started back in school. Were you the one who studied and toiled on papers only to get a C while another student in class never touched a book and magically got an A? While they were off having a great time, you were stuck at the library with your nose in your books!
Fast forward, you are working on a project team. This time, it isn’t about working for a grade but to get an important project done. One of your colleagues spends all her time in the boss’s office, talking about the project deliverables, but doesn’t do any of the work. When the project is complete, she receives equal accolades for the project’s success. You are quick to schedule a meeting to tell your boss about what she didn’t do because you are jealous of the advantage she had receiving credit and not pulling her weight. To your surprise, your boss doesn’t feel this way. In fact, she tells you how much she appreciated your colleague keeping her posted about the project.
This scenario is not unlike my two favorite sisters in the New Testament, Mary and Martha. In Luke 10:38-42 we learn that Jesus goes to their house to spend time with his disciples and teach. While Martha toiled and served, Mary sat at Jesus feet to listen to his teaching. Frustrated because her sister is not working to serve alongside her, she goes to Jesus asking him to get her sister to work. If you know this story, you know Jesus says Martha is anxious and troubled about many things. She was jealous of the position Mary took at the feet of Jesus.
God doesn’t want us to compare our work to the work of others. When we fall into this comparison, it can lead to feelings of jealousy. And, as we have seen, jealousy can lead to even deeper feelings rooted in sin. Focus on doing your very best. I find when I think about what someone else is or isn’t doing it takes my eye off doing my very best.