Upstart Brother?
Theme of the Week: Green-Eyed Monster
Bob Sorge
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
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Key Bible Verse: Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another (Galatians 5:26). Bonus Reading:Acts 11:25—26 Acts; 13:1—3 Acts ; 15:36—40
A person has to work through some human motives issues to joyfully submit to someone with great grace on his life.
Take Barnabas's relationship to Paul. When the two started in ministry together, Barnabas was the leader, the big brother; Paul was the assistant, the little brother. But there was greater grace on Paul's life than on Barnabas's, and it soon became evident as they traveled in ministry. Before long, Paul had stepped up to the place of leadership and Barnabas had become the assistant. Now, that's a tough transition to weather!
Everything shook down when a difference of opinion arose between them. Barna-bas wanted to take John Mark on the next ministry trip, but Paul refused. If Barnabas had started out under Paul, it would have been different; but he started out over Paul.
Because of how their relationship had evolved, Barna-bas was unable to acquiesce to Paul's leadership. His inability to receive Paul's leadership meant that they would part ways and become two missionary parties. As a result, however, we never again hear in the New Testament about Barnabas's ministry, its nature or its effectiveness.
—Bob Sorge in Envy
Adapted from Envy: The Enemy Within (Regal, 2003) by permission.
My Response: Can I genuinely rejoice for someone to whom God assigns a greater ministry sphere?
Thought to Apply: The man who keeps busy helping the man below him won't have time to envy the man above him.
—Henrietta Mears (Christian educator)
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Sovereign Lord, keep me from envying the accomplishments of others. Instead, make me grateful for and content with the gifts You've entrusted to me.
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