A battle plan for defeating envy

Editor’s note: This column was written by a member of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s Shepherds Collective. For more information, visit sbtexas.com/networks/shepherds-collective.

Envy.

Every pastor has dealt with it. It can raise its head when a brother pastor gives thanks for a spike in Sunday morning attendance or baptism numbers. It wakes from slumber when we hear about the healthy budget of the church across town. Maybe you’ve experienced envy about a church’s location, their biblical polity, or their standing in the community.

Envy is having a feeling of unhappiness at the fortune of others. Historically, it’s considered one of the seven deadly sins. Solomon wrote this in Proverbs 14:30:

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”

That’s a vivid image. Tranquility is a pond untouched by wind or waves. It’s the idea of peace and contentment. A heart that is at peace in Christ is like a still pond which gives life to the flesh. In other words, inner spiritual health brings about outer health. But envy, Solomon says, makes the bones rot. An inner corrosion through the sin of envy brings about outer wasting.

Personally, I’ve dealt with envy in ministry because I’m competitive. I grew up in Texas playing every sport I could, and an unintentional consequence of this type of raising was I brought that competitive edge into every area of my life—including pastoral ministry. I’ve felt envious in meetings when someone else receives praise. I’ve been unhappy when I’ve seen attendance spikes in places other than my church. What pastor hasn’t seen another church building and felt a tinge of jealousy and envy?

It’s sad because envy steals so much of the joy of ministry. Instead of rejoicing with others, we become a weird victim of the situation—like a child putting Band-Aids on make-believe wounds. The joy of seeing God work His kindness in the lives of others, the joy of our lives in Christ, and the joy of what we have been given are severely undermined when we host envy in our hearts. It rots our inner lives. It’s like soul termites.

So the question is: How do we slay the deadly sin of envy? How do we rid our souls of these termites?

First, it’s all about Jesus. We must cultivate a vertical life of contentment in Jesus Christ. Envy thrives when I use a horizontal measuring stick for my life: What does that pastor wear on Sundays? How much does he make? What does his welcoming center look like? Where does he office? It’s when I remember and cultivate what I have in Jesus that envy is rooted out. Every pastor needs the gospel. Every pastor needs to remember that what we have in Christ is better than what we lack in this life. Cultivate a vertical life of contentment in Jesus.

Second, we must learn to celebrate. This is a practical way to kill ministry competition and comparison. Paul said love does not envy. He also said to rejoice with those who rejoice. Every gospel believing pastor would agree they didn’t earn their salvation—it’s a gift. I hope you still rejoice at the gift of your salvation. And since we didn’t earn God’s favor or grace, we are freed to celebrate the grace and kindness of God in the lives of others. Make it a priority, a rhythm to pray for those you envy. You can rejoice with your staff by committing to only speak well of other faithful congregations and celebrate the work of God in places other than your church. Celebration might need to begin with repentance and grow into a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s work in the lives of others.

Brother pastor, you won’t age out of this deadly sin. You really can’t work your way out of it. There isn’t a dollar amount that can rescue you. There isn’t an attendance rate that can stop the rot. No amount of ministry success will eradicate this termite of the soul. What you need is Jesus, a good session of heartfelt repentance, and an ongoing rhythm of celebration. Remember the words of Solomon: A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh.