May 6

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

CURE FOR ENVY

   "Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord
   all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation
   shall not be cut off" Prov. 23:17, 18

   When we see the wicked prosper we are apt to envy them. When we hear
   the noise of their mirth, and our own spirit is heavy, we half think
   that they have the best of it. This is foolish and sinful. If we knew
   them better, and specially if we remembered their end, we should pity
   them.

   The cure for envy lies in living under a constant sense of the divine
   presence, worshiping God and communing with Him all the day long,
   however long the day may seem. True religion lifts the soul into a
   higher region, where the judgment becomes more clear, and the desires
   are more elevated. The more of Heaven there is in our lives, the less
   of earth we shall covet. The fear of God casts out envy of men.

   The death-blow of envy is a calm consideration of the future. The
   wealth and glory of the ungodly are a vain show. This pompous
   appearance flashes out for an hour, and then is extinguished. What is
   the prosperous sinner the better for his prosperity when judgment
   overtakes him? As for the godly man, his end is peace and blessedness,
   and none can rob him of his joy; wherefore, let him forego envy, and be
   filled with sweet content.