When Doing Right Is An Offence

1 Samuel 18:1-12

Message No. 0561 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

Don't we all expect that an excellent job would lead to praise and commendation from loved ones and promotion from employers? Well, not always. Years ago, my pastor joked on the pulpit regarding parents whose children would come home, happy after scoring a 97 percent in an exam and instead of the parents praising them, they ask: “what happened to the remaining 3 percent?” I heard the story of a teenage son who committed suicide while in college and his reason was that he could never please his dad. It did not matter how well he did, the dad was never impressed, or, at least, didn’t show that he was.

In 1 Samuel chapter 17, a popular passage of scripture, the Philistines encamped against Israel and fielded a champion whom the Bible says has been a man of war all his life. He was taller than anyone else on the surface of the earth and his standing alone terrorized anyone. Saul, Israel’s king was sore afraid, and the entire army of God’s own nation could not face their enemies. The Philistines came out daily and challenged Israel to produce a champion who would face Goliath and if not, Israel would serve the Philistines.

When there was no one to fight, David, a youth and smallish boy rose to the challenge, faced Goliath and not only defeated him but cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword. Of course, this drew praise from most Israelites, and for a moment, from Saul the king. Fast forward to when the women sang that Saul defeated his thousands and David, his ten thousand, and trouble began. Saul envied and hated David from this moment and made up his mind to kill him, especially to please his own ego and, more importantly, to eliminate the risk that David would take over the throne of Israel. Saul expended the entire military might of Israel and stopped at nothing to assassinate David, for the sin of doing right.

I’ve heard stories of people who were afraid of succeeding too much, because they would outshine their managers and that would ignite troubles in the workplace. I’ve heard many stories of rivalries between husbands and wives where husbands feel insecure because their wives are succeeding. Because of this, the husband proves tough at home, thinking that he needs to exert control. Some stories I hear show clearly that some spouses run their homes as contractual partners; they are technically married, but in fact, they aren’t. I don’t get it; how can a wife succeed, and the husband is mad? Why is rivalry necessary between two people whom the Bible says are one?

Envy is the brainchild of the devil. Created by God and more decorated than any other angel, the devil was not satisfied. He envied God, his creator, and would stop at nothing but to take over His Throne. What a foolish thing to do! Envy is not only evil, it is deadly. It was envy that made Cain to kill Abel, and but for God, Esau would have killed Jacob. It was the same envy that made Saul to hunt David, just because the latter succeeded where the former failed.

God’s stand is clear regarding envy. In James 3:13-16, the Bible says:

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

If you discover that you are often sad when people succeed, you may be under the influence of envy and I believe that you do not want to operate in this manner. What you want is to be happy when others are happy. What you want is to rejoice when people make it. What you want is to congratulate those who achieve greatness. This is the best route to your own success.

That David defeated Goliath when Saul couldn’t, should not be the end of the road for Saul. When a manager has a subordinate who is doing well, the greatest managers are excited and happy. They let the subordinate know how pleased they are that they are doing excellently well, and they offer unreserved support for the staff. What some fail to know is that the success of your staff is your success. You are the team leader, and nothing is better than the ability to go home and sleep well when you have committed an assignment to your subordinate. This is the part where Saul failed miserably. His envy ate him gradually until he lost his life.

Doing well does not have to be an offence. Your praise of others is an input to your promotion before God. A mind free of envy is the greatest feeling on earth. When there’s no envy, your mind will be clear, your bones will be healthy, and your life will be prolonged. I pray that our God will deliver every child of His from this evil, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. Have a blessed week!

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 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!