Jealousy, Greed, and Power Over Others

But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. 11 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion. (Jude 1:10-11 NLT)

Jude is warning us that we can’t just do whatever we want and expect God’s blessings. He preaches against false teachers who present all kinds of immorality as acceptable behaviour. He specifically singles out 3 Historical examples, Cain, Balaam and Korah. When I read this passage, I wanted to know more about what each one of these people did to disappoint God or fall away from grace. Not just what they did but what type of thinking caused them to do it. In the well-known story, I found that Cain killed his brother Abel, but why? Because he was jealous (Genesis 4:1-16). Balaam prophesied out of greed, not obedience (Numbers 22-24), and Korah (Numbers 16:1-35) rebelled against God’s appointed leader (Moses) because he wanted the power for himself. What I’m taking away from this passage, then, is to keep jealousy, greed and desire for power in check. You will never experience the greatness God wants for you if jealousy, greed or control (power over others) are present in your life.

And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. (Jude 1:6 NLT)

Be content with what God provides; don’t desire what others have. Be content, pray, and wait on God. You don’t need to push people around or attempt various schemes to get what you want. Just rest in God. Be assured He will move you to where He needs you to be. God will provide what you need to accomplish the work He has for you.

I’ve been retired for several years now, but I saw this play out so clearly in my life many years ago when I was working. One example is when a senior employee from another section of my organization came to my desk one day and asked me if I wanted to work in his area. This was different from the way things usually worked. I was shocked when this happened. I did want to work in that section. I hadn’t even applied for a job or asked to work there. I frequently interacted with this section and always did my work to the best of my ability, treating everyone fairly and respectfully in all of my dealings. At the time, I had a deep sense that God had opened this door for me. I didn’t have to push my way there or trample others. In fact, I believe my work ethic and the kind way I treated others played a significant role in this opportunity being offered to me.

Dear Father in Heaven, help us to trust You! Help us not to run ahead of You and Your perfect plans for us. When Your timing is not our timing, help us to remember that You know the beginning and the end and are perfectly positioned to point us where we need to go when we need to go there. Help us to be obedient to Your plans and not to be jealous, envious, or compare ourselves to others!