Love Does Not Envy

1. Read: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

2. About the Text:

1) What is envy?

2) Envy is a fleshly desire to have, possess, or take the things, character, achievements, or qualities of another for yourself often to the detriment of the other person through ill-will.

3) Love does not envy because when we love other people we desire good things for them.

4) How can we cultivate that attitude?

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Every human being has eternal value.

1) “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).

2) “Forasmuch as you know you were not redeemed…” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

3) “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28).

2. Envy considers self of greater value than others.

1) It does this to justify the desire for its object in another.

2) It esteems others of lesser value by comparing one against another.

3) Self becomes the standard by which we judge others.

4) “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).

3. Love values people (including self) for who they are not what they have or don’t have.

1) My value does not depend on having something another possesses.

2) I won’t begrudge what others have.

3) I won’t desire what others have to make myself feel better about myself.

4) I won’t make comparisons and judge others unworthy of what they have.

5) Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector: “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (Luke 18:9).

1. Instead of envying another’s fortune, we need to rejoice with them.

1) “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15).

2) “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

3) “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

4) Joy needs to be our default response at the good happening in others’ lives.

2. We need to think well of others instead of thinking evil of them.

1) “Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor” (Zechariah 8:17).

2) Love “thinks no evil” (1 Corinthians 13:5).

3. Love is too busy enjoying other people to have time to envy them.

1) “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

2) “Whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while” (Romans 15:24).

3) “He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend” (Proverbs 22:11).

1. God created man so that he could flourish.

1) “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth'” (Genesis 1:28).

2) “Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Psalm 92:13).

2. Love desires the ennoblement of others, not their destruction.

1) “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7).

2) “And have made us kings and priests to our God; ??And we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10).

3) “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

3. Christians want to see the righteous flourish.

1) “In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more” (Psalm 72:7).

2) “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth'” (Jeremiah 23:5).

3) “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2).

4. We can’t focus on others spiritual success and envying them at the same time.

1. Envy divides, but love wants Christians to be united.

1) For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (James 3:16).

2) “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Col.3:14).

3) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

2. Love seeks the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1) “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

2) “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2).

3. Love understands that we all progress together when everyone does well.

1) “Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good” (Psalm 122:9).

2) “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

3) “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 1:11).

1. Love does not envy because…

1) Loves Values People

2) Love Rejoices with Others

3) Love Helps Others Flourish

4) Love Seeks Unity

2. Invitation