Envying The Wrong People

• Describe a time when you saw someone “getting away with” their sin. How did this make you feel?

• Why do you think God gave us his commandments?

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong.
Psalm 37:1

In this psalm, King David tells us not to be jealous of people who sin. David writes later in the psalm that “their day is coming” (v. 13), meaning that we will all be judged one day, and that God will judge these evil people in due time. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about what other people are doing. God will take care of that.

There is also a more immediate reason why we shouldn’t envy those who do wrong. You see, God’s commandments are not arbitrary. God gave each and every one of his commandments to protect us. When we sin, we hurt ourselves, others and God. When we don’t sin, we protect ourselves from pain and suffering.

If you are tempted to envy someone whose sin seems to be making their lives better or more fun, and they appear to suffer no consequences, realize that their fun is short-lived. No one really ever “gets away with” anything.

PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for giving us your commandments. Give us joy in keeping them, and keep us from foolish envy of people who sin. Amen.