Acts Chapter 13: Verses 43-45
Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, and the two men urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God. The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.
Jealousy is a terrible thing. We see here that Paul and Barnabas did nothing to disrupt the congregation of the Synagogue they spoke in. Indeed, even after the service was finished, they did everything they could to encourage the congregation to follow God. They were invited to speak again the following week; such was the impact of the preaching of God’s work. So, the following week it seems like the whole city came to hear them speak. Yet there was a group of people who could not rejoice at such a wonderful move of God. Instead, they were jealous at its apparent success. They set out to disrupt the very work of God, by slandering Paul and Barnabas and contradicting everything they said.
We should never feel threatened by anyone else’s apparent success. We should be able to celebrate with them because we are not in competition with them. They have their own road to travel, as do we. When we are jealous, we are miserable and unhappy. It doesn’t do us any good. Far better to follow Barnabas’ example and be an encourager.
Dear Lord,
May I never be jealous of anyone else’s success. Keep my focus on what You want to do in my life and not what You’re doing through anyone else. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.