Scripture
1 Samuel 18:5-9 “Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander in his army, an appointment that was applauded by the fighting men and officers alike. But something happened when the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed Goliath. Women came out from all the towns along the way to celebrate and to cheer for King Saul, and they sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song: Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands! This made Saul very angry. What is this? He said. They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king! So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”
Observation
Jealousy is a dangerous thing. Saul eventually on two occasions tried to take David’s life. Jealousy led him to attempted murder. Jealousy also cost Saul a loyal friend and officer. David was not out to get Saul. David was faithful to Saul and a great warrior but Saul’s jealousy would not allow him to accept David. It drove him away. It drove him to irrational thinking. The scripture says the women came to celebrate and cheer for King Saul. In their songs they give David the credit he was due, but they came for Saul. Saul was so insecure that he could not allow one of his subordinates to receive more praise than him. This is bad leadership. Good leaders want the best people around them and allow them to achieve. They rejoice at the success of those who follow them. Saul could have praised David and David would have given Saul more success. This was a great failure of leadership.
Application
I must guard my heart against jealousy. It destroys the heart. It destroys relationships. It destroys good judgment. When I hear of God blessing someone else, I should rejoice. I should be happy for the success of others. Even if they are “under me” in position, I should desire their success above my own. The root of jealousy is pride. You want to receive the praise. You want to experience the success. You want the results and when it goes to someone else, you can’t handle it. It eats at you. It destroys God’s work in you and eventually everything and one around you. Jealousy is a cancer of the spirit like unforgiveness and bitterness.
As a leader I need to desire the success of those I lead even if they get the praise and I don’t. Good leaders are stewards and put the success of the organization first. If someone under my leadership succeeds, that is good for the church. I must develop an environment and culture of success. That begins with me wanting those around me to succeed and to be rewarded. My reward will come. God knows the end from the beginning. Good leaders enable those around them to achieve great results. Jealousy will destroy good leaders.
Prayer
Father, root jealousy out of my spirit. Those negative thoughts and feelings I have when I hear of others success is evil. It is wickedness. God I repent of those thoughts and feelings. I want to rejoice when another church in town is blessed. I want to rejoice when another pastor in our community is acknowledged. But I admit that is not always my reaction. I may put on a good face but inside I have a negative reaction. Forgive me and cleanse me. I hate that within me. Jealousy will destroy me. Pride is it’s beginning. I repent of pride. I repent of the desire for recognition. I repent of the desire for fame. I repent of selfish ambition. I want to love others as God loves them. Father, give me a fresh baptism of love. Fill me with your love that I may love people as you do. Jesus loved us so much that he became our servant. I want to love others so much that I am willing to serve anyone at anytime. I am not there yet. God, break me. Mold me into your shape. Make me more like Jesus.
