Jump Start # 934

1 Samuel 18:7-8 “And the women sang as they played and said, ‘Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands.’ Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?”

Yesterday in our Jump Starts we wrote about guilt. Another emotion that plagues many of us is jealousy. King Saul sure had a belly full of jealousy over young David. The nation was gripped in fear. The Philistines and Israel stood ready to go to war. The champion of the Philistines, Goliath, the giant, taunted Israel every day for forty days. He wanted a one on one challenge. Send out your best to fight is what the giant wanted. He was huge, seasoned and experienced. There is no one who could conquer Goliath. Not only was facing him certain death, it also meant that Israel would be captive. We know the story. Young David arrives bringing food for his brothers. He hears the taunts and decides right then to defend the name of God. Five smooth stones. Young David running toward the giant. A stone in the forehead brings the giant down. Off goes his head and the Philistines run. Israel goes after them. The nation is saved. Immediately David is a national hero. He comes home to a heroes welcome. A parade and the delight of the nation.

It’s been a long time since this nation has had a national hero. We have sports stars but that’s not the same. Earlier wars have produced heroes. During WW I, a Canadian pilot shot down the famous German Red Baron. He became a hero. Alvin York, Sgt. York, captured dozens of Germans all by himself in WW I and he became a hero. WW II produced several heroes. Brave soldiers risking their lives for the sake of freedom inspires an entire country.

For Israel, that’s what David was. He was the hero. All of this attention, praise and accolades stirred up a bitter and jealous spirit within King Saul. People like David more than they liked him. People thought David was better than he was. Our passage says that Saul became very angry. If you are familiar with this history you remember that Saul throws a spear at David at least twice, tries to have his men kill him at night and demands a dowry that would certainly bring his death. David escaped every time. Saul’s mental state collapses and he becomes obsessed with killing David. Saul ignores the nation and foreign affairs in the pursuit of killing David. His jealousy destroys him and takes over all clear judgment.

Jealousy will do just that. Some areas are more prone to jealousy than others. Sports and music are ripe with jealousy. Everyone wants to be on top and when it is someone else, the green monster of jealousy takes over. Wicked thoughts, trash talking, bitterness fill the heart.

A person doesn’t have to be a prize athlete or a major music star to be troubled with jealousy. It happens to us who live on main street. It’s every day at work. It thrives in neighborhoods and even among brethren in church. Some can’t hear a compliment toward another without thinking it’s a dig at them. A neighbor points out another neighbors nice landscaping. Immediately, the jealous person thinks, he must think my yard stinks. Someone compliments a song leader at church, another song leader hearing that thinks, ‘I must be a lousy song leader.’ Preachers, especially guest preachers, are too often given way too many compliments. The syrup is a bit heavy. The in house preacher after hearing all the praise begins to think it’s time for him to pack his bags. Jealous.

It’s been said that the hardest position to fill in the orchestra is SECOND violin. Everyone wants to be in the first chair. Jealous. Wanting the attention that is going to someone else. Saul wanted people to be singing about him. They weren’t. They were singing about David. The young shepherd boy was more important than the king at that moment.

Jealousy can ruin a marriage. It can lead to someone quitting a job. It can created headaches and tension at church between members. Jealousy feeds bitterness and anger and hatred. A dishonest person will try to undermine the person they are jealous of. They will try to destroy them and make them look bad. They will sabotage work projects. They will spread gossip and rumors about them. They will try to tarnish the praise that is going to the person they are jealous of. Jealousy is a miserable condition. A person doesn’t think well of the person they are jealous of.

We can be jealous of someone’s looks, ability, opportunities, and accomplishments. Face it some people are better than you. That’s hard when you are doing your best and others are still better than you.

God doesn’t want you to be jealous. One of the works of the flesh, in Galatians 5, is jealousy. It will keep you from Heaven. It affects the way you think and treat others. It distorts things and makes you think too much of yourself.

Do preachers get jealous of each other? Yes. Should we? No.

So, how do we deal with jealousy?

•  Saul should have been leading the praise for David. Saul was shaking in his boots when Goliath taunted Israel. David was on his side. Teamwork and the team concept helps with jealousy. The quarterback gets the attention at the end of the game. However, he realizes without the coach, the plays, the blockers, the receivers, he’s nothing. He’s in the limelight, but there was a team that got the victory. Team work is the key in a marriage, a business, and a church. Leaders, such as Saul, can create the team atmosphere or they can fuel jealousy. Saul was not a team player. It was all about him. That led to his disaster. Jealousy is not so much about the ability of the other person as it is about my thinking. The proper view of self will go along way with keeping jealousy in place.

•  When we are the one who is praised, include the team. Don’t forget the team. Honor the team. Our manner of handling compliments can make others jealous. There is no room for “I am the greatest” speeches. Have you ever noticed how many times Jesus talked about the “least in the kingdom.” That was important to Him. The Lord also said that the greatest in the kingdom would be the servant. Jealousy is lessened when those praised give attention to others.

•  Don’t be too good to compliment others, and mean it. There are others who are better than you. Learn from them. Be thankful when they are on the same team as you are. Fake compliments are worthless. Be real. Appreciate good talent.

•  Look to Jesus. He was humble. He didn’t need to tell others how great He was. He served. He listened. He cared. He allowed Himself to be interrupted. When asked, He went. He was there. People knew He cared. We can learn from that. Too good or too big to pick up a piece of paper off the floor? Better look in the mirror. Too talented to teach a kids class at church? Better look in the mirror. Too important to volunteer? Better look in the mirror. Society doesn’t get this. The big shots act like big shots. They don’t seem to care about the little guy. They seem to forget who buys the tickets that pays their salary. Disciples of Jesus are not to be this way. They are different. They are like Jesus.

•  Pray for help. Jealousy doesn’t go away. Like mold, it seems to grow and spread. God doesn’t want you this way. Be honest with God in your closet prayers. Jealousy tends to make us think too little of self. Our value seems low when we are jealous of others. God doesn’t see you that way. You have talents. You have your own style and are gifted by God. Get busy and do what you can for the Lord.

Saul became very angry with David. How sad. He had a great help in David if he only had a better attitude about him. How are you doing with jealousy?

Roger