Today brings us to another attribute of Love. " Love Does Not Envy" from 1 Cor. 13:5. What in the world does envy have to do with love? I guess if a person has a problem with envying others he then has a problem with loving them and perhaps he is predisposed with efforts to attain what others have rather than focusing on loving others. I must confess that I have struggled with this problem myself. I desire a bigger home, a newer car, a set of X22 golf clubs..etc. We are instructed in the Bible to be content with what we have and where we are.

The question still begs to be answered....what in the world does envy have to do with love? Perhaps you can share your thoughts on this question by commenting on this blog at the bottom of the blog. I do think that we as a society are preoccupied with gaining possessions so that we can keep up with our neighbors and friends. Why are some blessed with a multitude of assets while some struggle to get by? I think we all know someone who has the biggest and the best but they spend all their energy trying to figure out how to pay for these things. Also we know those who attain wealth and the things that go with only to be in a constant search for bigger and better. There is no satisfaction.

When we literally read the Word of God we find that he tells us to give away our possessions. We are to help those less fortunate. This is Love. At the same time we have a responsibility to provide for our families. This I feel is speaking of food, shelter and our base needs. I find nothing wrong in having a comfortable home, nutritious food, adequate transportation and even an occasional trip to the beach or other places to relax. But do we need more house than we need or can afford? Do we need a Cadillac Escalate when a Chevy Tahoe or for that matter a Ford Focus will meet our needs to get from one place to another?

I feel God will meet our basic needs of an adequate comfortable home, good food, warm clothing and adequate transportation. I also feel He expects us to give away to others a portion of what He has given to us. This is Love. So envy can become a barrier to our fulfilling the 2nd great commandment to Love others. Again I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.

I will cite a couple of examples of sharing our wealth and truly loving others. Pastor Rick Warren has been wildly successful with his book the Purpose Driven Life. He chose to return to his church his salary for the past twenty five years. He tithes 90% of his income and lives on 10%. He has lived in the same adequate house for many years. Much of his income from book sales is given away to missions. Frances Chan is a pastor in California and has written a new book called Crazy Love. In this book he tells of being convicted of his lack of love for others. He is compelled to sell his home and buy a smaller adequate home so that he can have more money to give away. This is an example of putting your money where your mouth is or putting feet to your faith. I am not advocating selling all you own and giving it away but I am urging all of us to find contentment in what we have and asking God to direct your finances, your giving etc.

I will ask a final question....are you truly in love with God? That is a tough one. If we are then we will follow His commands and love others...more than we love ourselves, more than we love things. I will ask us to search our hearts and see if envy is a problem for us. I am speaking as the kind of contentment Paul speaks of when he wishes to not have too much or too little. It is a walk of faith to depend on God to supply your needs. One should not become destitute in seeking to give away his wealth. We should be good managers of what God has given us, but we should also realize that it is His and He means for us to share with those less fortunate that ourselves. Remember, Love does not envy. Search your heart today and ask yourself if this is a problem. Learn to be content and depend on God to meet your needs.