HOW TO OVERCOME ENVY
Feb 12, 2017 / 1 Samuel 18:5-6 / Pastor KC Liu
| HOW TO OVERCOME ENVY WORKSHEET |
Mission Testimony: Judith Huang (1:00 - 13:00 min)
Speaker: Pastor KC Liu (13:00 min forward)
Intro: We see the conflict between King Saul and David. Saul was envious of what David has accomplished, and it ultimately destroyed him. How can we guard ourselves against envy?
Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:5-16
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.
This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres.
7 As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand
11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.
13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.
14 In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.
15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
Speaker: Pastor KC Liu (13:00 min forward)
Intro: We see the conflict between King Saul and David. Saul was envious of what David has accomplished, and it ultimately destroyed him. How can we guard ourselves against envy?
Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:5-16
5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.
This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.
6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres.
7 As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand
11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.
12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.
13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns.
14 In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.
15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.
Today, we are going to continue our study in the book of 1 Samuel 18. We are going to see the destructive power of ENVY in the life of King Saul. First, let’s clarify something. What is the difference between jealously and envy? To envy is to want something which belongs to another person. Perhaps you envy their success, popularity, or even luck.
Jealously is different. It is the fear that something which we possess will be taken away by another person. Like we are afraid that the person we love might love someone else. Very often envy and jealousy come together and you can see them both at work.
The truth is, Envy will destroy you from the inside out. God knows that as human beings we are extremely prone to envy. So much so that it made it into the 10 Commandments. God says, “thou shall not covet”. It means the same thing. You want something that belongs to another person. As we will find out, ENVY is going to ruin Saul’s life. Let’s read 1 Sam:5-16.
So we see here, David has been very successful in his campaigns. Saul promoted him because of this. David was so consistently successful that the nation began to take notice of him and celebrate his great achievements. A song was even written about his victories. Can I get all the ladies to say this verse with a cheerful smile? Verse 7, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
With the many successful military campaigns that David had led, it would be true that he has slain more than Saul. But something was birthed in Saul’s heart when he heard that, because it caused him to be very angry. That something is ENVY.
Jealously is different. It is the fear that something which we possess will be taken away by another person. Like we are afraid that the person we love might love someone else. Very often envy and jealousy come together and you can see them both at work.
The truth is, Envy will destroy you from the inside out. God knows that as human beings we are extremely prone to envy. So much so that it made it into the 10 Commandments. God says, “thou shall not covet”. It means the same thing. You want something that belongs to another person. As we will find out, ENVY is going to ruin Saul’s life. Let’s read 1 Sam:5-16.
So we see here, David has been very successful in his campaigns. Saul promoted him because of this. David was so consistently successful that the nation began to take notice of him and celebrate his great achievements. A song was even written about his victories. Can I get all the ladies to say this verse with a cheerful smile? Verse 7, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
With the many successful military campaigns that David had led, it would be true that he has slain more than Saul. But something was birthed in Saul’s heart when he heard that, because it caused him to be very angry. That something is ENVY.
Saul became jealous of David’s growing popularity and fame. Instead of being thankful that he has a great fighter in David, Saul let envy took over. ENVY eventually ruined his life. Envy destroys, don’t take it lightly.
The first spark of envy is ANGER. “Saul was very angry…” (18:8). We are UNHAPPY that others are doing better than us. It does not stop there. Anger leads to Accusation. Saul thought, “What more can he get but the kingdom?” (18:8c). He felt threatened.
18:9 “And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” That threat isn’t even real; it’s all in Saul’s mind. David wasn’t going to take Saul’s kingdom. But Saul kept replaying this non-existent scenario in his head.
We have to understand that Saul accused David because he was afraid. Saul was trapped by fear. This was mentioned 3 times in this chapter:
Verse 12 says, “Saul was afraid of David…”
Verse 15 says, “When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.” We see here again that this FEAR doesn’t need to be real. It just needs to be in your mind.
By now we can actually have a clear picture of David’s character and his heart. We know what kind of a person David is. David wasn’t trying to kill Saul for the throne. David honors God and honors God’s anointed, we see that later in chapter 26. Yet Saul was gripped by fear and he wanted to kill David. Verse 11, Saul says, “I will pin David to the wall!”
You see, ENVY destroys you from the inside. It leads to anger and accusation, it causes you to be afraid, and caused you to attack people, for no good reason. It’s a Fear of loss. Fear of losing your position, your possessions, your people… Saul was so insecure about himself. He switched into self-preservation mode.
There is this story of Two shopkeepers. They were bitter rivals. Their stores were directly across the street from each other, and they would spend each day keeping track of each other’s business. If one got a customer, he would smile in triumph at his rival. One night an angel appeared to one of the shopkeepers in a dream and said, “I will give you anything you ask, but whatever you receive, your competitor will receive twice as much. Would you be rich? You can be very rich, but he will be twice as wealthy. Do you wish to live a long and healthy life? You can, but his life will be longer and healthier. What is your desire?” The man frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, “Here is my request: Strike me blind in one eye!” That’s what happens when we let envy take roots in our hearts. All sound judgement is gone.
What follows in the next 2 chapters is a rapid-fire recounting of Saul’s 6 attempts on David’s life, 3 in chapter 18 and another 3 in chapter 19. First, in verse 11, he tries to kill David with a spear. “I’ll pin David to the wall,” he says, but David escaped, twice. Second, in verse 12, He makes David a commander over a 1000 and sent him out for more battles, hoping that he will be killed at war. But he was successful. Third, in verses 17-29, Saul then offers David his oldest daughter Merab, and then his second daughter Michal in marriage, both times David turned down because he says “I’m only a poor man and little known.” (18:23) David would not be able to pay the bridal price, or the dowry, but that’s was what Saul was getting at. Fourth, 18:25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul's plan was to have David killed by the hands of the Philistines. All in all, Saul attempted 6 times and 6 times he failed. He failed because God’s hand was upon David.
You have this King trying to tear David down but he is growing from stronger each time. Clearly God’s hand was upon David. God protects him throughout the ordeal. You see, we do not have to fear what people can do to us. Our greater fear is that we are not walking right with God. If we are, then we have nothing to fear. God watches over His children. David walks with God and obeys Him. He honors God. Even when David had the chance to retaliate and hurt Saul in chapter 26, David refused to do so. He says, “I’m not going to lay hands on the Lord’s anointed.” God appointed him to leadership, I will not attack him. Amazingly, and ironically, that was exactly what God was doing for him - no one can touch God’s anointed, David, because he is God’s chosen King for Israel.
God honors those who honor Him. David says to Saul, “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness…” (26:23a). We stand firm and do the right thing, and God will watch over us. Saul was gripped by envy and that ruined his life. There is a proverb that says, “Envy eats the soul of the envious, and not the envied one.”
David does not allow his soldier to kill Saul. David chose not to retaliate.
So here is the million dollar question. How do we keep envy away?
1. CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS – that’s humility.
If we are envious like Saul, we’ve got to tell ourselves, “What am I doing?? David is my man. He is not fighting against me; he’s fighting FOR me. He is my comrade, and Israel is winning all the campaigns. If he does not shine, I won’t shine. If David fails, Israel fails, and my ministry fails. I should treat David right.” That would be the right attitude.
This is how we can apply it to our lives. Be humble and celebrate the success of others. Don’t envy someone because he is more popular, more capable, more talented, or better-looking than you. Rejoice that they are doing well and successful. Thank God for their achievements. Pray that they will continue to do well and be a blessing to those in need.
2. BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE – that’s contentment.
Accept God’s gift for you. Saul was made king by the grace of God, he should have been very grateful. Many people can only dream to have what Saul had, but he was not content. The lesson for us is that we must treasure what God has given us.
In Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, King Solomon said “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work, this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” In other words, it is God who gives the amount we have. And it is our duty to accept it with a glad heart.
So here is the million dollar question. How do we keep envy away?
1. CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS – that’s humility.
If we are envious like Saul, we’ve got to tell ourselves, “What am I doing?? David is my man. He is not fighting against me; he’s fighting FOR me. He is my comrade, and Israel is winning all the campaigns. If he does not shine, I won’t shine. If David fails, Israel fails, and my ministry fails. I should treat David right.” That would be the right attitude.
This is how we can apply it to our lives. Be humble and celebrate the success of others. Don’t envy someone because he is more popular, more capable, more talented, or better-looking than you. Rejoice that they are doing well and successful. Thank God for their achievements. Pray that they will continue to do well and be a blessing to those in need.
2. BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE – that’s contentment.
Accept God’s gift for you. Saul was made king by the grace of God, he should have been very grateful. Many people can only dream to have what Saul had, but he was not content. The lesson for us is that we must treasure what God has given us.
In Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, King Solomon said “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him, for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work, this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” In other words, it is God who gives the amount we have. And it is our duty to accept it with a glad heart.
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I love this painting. It’s a man with a family of 6 kids. They are poor, with only one broken bed, no windows, a leaking roof, and a dog and a chicken. But they are happy that they have each other. That’s a great picture of contentment right there.
Here is another picture of contentment that I really like. It’s a rich kid with a lot of toys but wants more, and he is crying. Then there’s another poor kid with very little, but he treasures it, and he’s very happy. To be honest, I haven’t been a good example in this way. My kids look more like the kid crying. They have a lot of toys, but they always want more. I have to teach my own kids about contentment.
Here is another picture of contentment that I really like. It’s a rich kid with a lot of toys but wants more, and he is crying. Then there’s another poor kid with very little, but he treasures it, and he’s very happy. To be honest, I haven’t been a good example in this way. My kids look more like the kid crying. They have a lot of toys, but they always want more. I have to teach my own kids about contentment.
The reality is, some are rich by birth, others have to work hard for their money, but they are all gifts of God. Recognize them as God’s lot for us and don’t compare. Saul made a huge mistake when he compared himself with David. Comparison can only end up the wrong way. If you are better than others, you are going to be prideful. If you worse than others, you’ll have self pity, and you are likely to blame God for making you like this, or that He is not being fair to you in this game of life. Either way it doesn’t turn out good. Don’t compare. Be contented at what God has blessed you with. He has given you what He deems best. Recognize God’s role in your life. Submit to Him and seek to honor Him.
My story. When I was 25 I was called into full time ministry. I quit my graphic design career, and worked for a mission organizations. I was making half of what I made before. I didn’t have much money and drove around in my 1996 Tacoma. It had no AC, no CD player, and a roll up window, and no power steering. It took me like 3 minutes to make a tight U-Turn. Meanwhile, my friends were making 6 figures and were all buying nice cars. And when I saw their nice cars, envy overtook my heart. I doubted my own calling. I was like, “what am I doing? I could be driving nice cars, instead I look like a gardener driving a pick up truck. If only I stayed with my marketplace career. Why am I the one getting short changed?” Then accusation mode kicked in. I start having these nasty conversations in my head.
“My friends are not smarter than me. I got better grades than them in college. I graduated earlier than they did. I should be the one making more money than them. I should go back into the marketplace and show them how successful I can really be.”
It took a hard fight within myself to know that life is more than material possessions. God spoke to my heart, and told me that my treasure is in heaven, not on earth. I had to come to peace with my own purpose. And by God’s mercy, I am now. Now I see myself as the luckiest guy in the world. I have an amazing wife and my three amazing kids, healthy, and fun to be with. What more can I ask for?
In conclusion, please allow me ask you a question. Perhaps there’s people here today that’s like me, struggling with ENVY? You might be angry or fearful or getting ready to attack others, but you don’t want to. Would you like God to help you be content with what you have? Would you like to have a more grateful heart? Would you like to stop comparing with others? If that’s you, just ask God to forgive you right now, and to give you a brand new start. Go ahead, He is listening.
My story. When I was 25 I was called into full time ministry. I quit my graphic design career, and worked for a mission organizations. I was making half of what I made before. I didn’t have much money and drove around in my 1996 Tacoma. It had no AC, no CD player, and a roll up window, and no power steering. It took me like 3 minutes to make a tight U-Turn. Meanwhile, my friends were making 6 figures and were all buying nice cars. And when I saw their nice cars, envy overtook my heart. I doubted my own calling. I was like, “what am I doing? I could be driving nice cars, instead I look like a gardener driving a pick up truck. If only I stayed with my marketplace career. Why am I the one getting short changed?” Then accusation mode kicked in. I start having these nasty conversations in my head.
“My friends are not smarter than me. I got better grades than them in college. I graduated earlier than they did. I should be the one making more money than them. I should go back into the marketplace and show them how successful I can really be.”
It took a hard fight within myself to know that life is more than material possessions. God spoke to my heart, and told me that my treasure is in heaven, not on earth. I had to come to peace with my own purpose. And by God’s mercy, I am now. Now I see myself as the luckiest guy in the world. I have an amazing wife and my three amazing kids, healthy, and fun to be with. What more can I ask for?
In conclusion, please allow me ask you a question. Perhaps there’s people here today that’s like me, struggling with ENVY? You might be angry or fearful or getting ready to attack others, but you don’t want to. Would you like God to help you be content with what you have? Would you like to have a more grateful heart? Would you like to stop comparing with others? If that’s you, just ask God to forgive you right now, and to give you a brand new start. Go ahead, He is listening.