Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and put within me a new spirit, a steadfast spirit (Ps. 51:10).
We can fight envy by being humble and satisfied with what we have. Thus we will not leave a place in the heart where it can grow. If we are humble, we will not have a very high opinion of ourselves and we will not think that we deserve more than others (Gal. 6: 3, 4). Whoever is satisfied with what he has is content and does not compare himself with others (1 Tim. 6: 7, 8). He who is humble and satisfied is happy for the person who receives something good. We need Jehovah's holy spirit to avoid developing such a harmful feeling as envy and instead to be humble and content. --Gal. 5:16; Philip. 2: 3, 4. God's spirit helps us examine our innermost thoughts and motives. With divine help, we can substitute harmful thoughts and feelings for uplifting ones (Ps. 26: 2). w20.02 15 pars. 8, 9
How do many of God's servants show that they are humble and satisfied with what they have?
Let's look at another situation in which many older siblings find themselves. For several decades, they have been coordinators of the body of elders. But when they reach 80, they gladly give up their assignment. Circuit overseers turning 70 demonstrate their humility by leaving this responsibility and accepting a different one. And, in recent years, many Bethelites around the world have started a new assignment outside of Bethel. These faithful brothers and sisters are not jealous of those who now tend to the responsibilities they had in the past.
Why might Paul have been tempted to envy the 12 apostles?
The apostle Paul is another good example, because he was humble and satisfied with what he had. He did not allow envy to nest in his heart. He worked hard in the ministry, but he humbly said, “I am the least of the apostles, and I do not deserve to be called an apostle” (1 Cor. 15: 9, 10). The 12 apostles were with Jesus during his ministry on earth, while Paul became a Christian after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Although in time he was named “an apostle to the nations,” he did not have the honor of being one of the 12 apostles (Rom. 11:13; Acts 1: 21-26). However, he was happy with what he had and did not envy those 12 men and their close relationship with Jesus.
What will we do if we are humble and satisfied?
If we are humble and satisfied, we will be like Paul and respect the authority that Jehovah has given to other brothers (Acts 21: 20-26). He has appointed elders to lead the Christian congregation. Despite their imperfections, Jehovah considers them “gifts” (Eph. 4: 8, 11). When we respect them and humbly follow their lead, we are Jehovah's friends and we have peace with our brothers.
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