I remember the first time I realized that someone envied me.
Growing up, I was asked to play the piano for everything.
Sight-reading has always been my strength, so I could play all the hymns or learn accompaniments super quickly. I was the one playing for seminary, every fireside, ward choir, musical numbers… you name it.
I was shocked one day to learn that someone started talking about how jealous they were that I could play everything so easily, and that it wasn’t fair that I was the only one asked to play the piano all the time.
I was honestly surprised at how much it hurt me to learn that someone else was jealous of me.
I wanted to explain all the hard work that went into practicing the piano for hours and hours each week.
I wanted to explain that I knew that sight-reading was also a gift that I had when it came to music (don’t ask me to improvise or compose anything!).
I also wanted to explain that I was not volunteering for these opportunities, I was just saying “yes” when asked.
Basically, I did not like being envied.
And then I realized… I envied other people.
I envied other people for their natural beauty, their fashion, their humor, their wealth, their talents…
I had this realization that each person I envied would probably also have some sort of explanation for why they were that way.
Envying does no good.
Envying leads to separation.
Separation from that person and separation from God for not feeling gratitude for what we have.
Joseph had a tough time with his brothers because “his brethren envied him” (Genesis 37:11).
It seems like Joseph had lots of explanations for why.
He couldn’t help that he was the firstborn of his father’s favorite wife. He clearly had a natural talent for interpreting dreams. He obviously had a close relationship God, so he likely worked hard to develop his gifts.
And instead of embracing Joseph for his uniqueness, his brothers turned their feelings into envy, which boiled into hatred.
Who do you envy right now?
Envy never leads to sweet fruits.
How can you cheer them on instead?
Because love is always better than envy.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
