"Let us not become conceited, provoking
and envying each other."
(GALATIANS 5:26)

James 4:1-12
Envy is the enemy of contentment. The two cannot co-exist in a person’s heart because, at its core, envy is dissatisfaction with God’s provision and lust for something He has given to another.


Ironically, the objects of our envy will always be incapable of satisfying us. Have you ever attained something you had envied only to discover that it no longer held value or interest for you? Then in an effort to derive more satisfaction, you began to flaunt what you had in the hope that others would now envy you. Envy and conceit go hand-in-hand, spreading like a virus to others.


Many of us will spend our entire lives struggling with and perpetuating this cycle. How can we ever break free and find lasting contentment? Only Christ can break the cycle. The key is to esteem our treasures in proportion to their true value. The more Christ takes His rightful place as the greatest treasure, the less anything else matters by comparison. Contentment quietly settles into our hearts, and Christ becomes our all in all.



Scripture Focus

James 4:1-12

Insight

CONTENTMENT IS A RARE JEWEL, BUT IT CANNOT BE OBTAINED THROUGH DIRECT PURSUIT. IT IS ALWAYS A BYPRODUCT AND BENEFIT OF PURSUING CHRIST.

Bible In A Year

  • 1 Samuel 15-16
  • Psalm 127
  • 2 Corinthians 8

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