Envy

 



The best part of teaching seminary is getting to know and learning from my students.


We were learning about Joseph and his brothers yesterday. 


He was favored by his dad and got that special coat.  Envy turned into hatred and led to a desire to even murder if necessary. They cast him into a pit and Reuben planned to go free him, but then Judah suggests they make some money and he is sold to a passing band.  They then kill a young goat and dip Joseph's coat in the blood and take it to Isaac who is overcome with grief. 


Deceit. Lies. Hatred. Malice. 


All because of envy.


"For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one." -Job 5:2


"A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." -Proverbs 14:30


Envy hurts us from the inside out. 


It was because of envy that the Savior himself was turned over to Pilate. "For  he knew that for envy they had delivered him." - Matthew 27:18


We have been clearly warned.  "Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless." Alma 5:29


But HOW do we get rid of envy? These are the things my students taught me.


We ask for divine help- for His grace. 


We repent.  We admit we are wrong.  


We show gratitude for the things we do have and not continually just demand more.


We pray for and serve those we may be envious of.  


Elder Jeffrey R Holland so wisely counseled, "Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. …

“Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment!”


Recognize. Repent. Replace.  Rejoice. 


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