An intriguing 3-page automobile ad in the Wall Street Journal reminded me how the secular world capitalizes on our tendency to envy. Page 1 shows a 1960 Mark II Jaguar. The caption reads: “Just as this was the envy of the automotive world . . .” Then on pages 2 and 3 is a picture of a brand-new Jaguar, and the caption continues, “Once again envy will be standard equipment.”

Now, I know it’s not a sin to want a Jaguar. But if I become discontented and resentful toward my neighbor because he owns one and I don’t, I have a serious envy problem.

In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul ranked envy with the sins of adultery, murder, and drunkenness. This may surprise us until we consider the destructive power of this sinful attitude. Envy drove Joseph’s brothers to sell him into Egypt (Acts 7:9). Envy fueled Paul’s opponents in Thessalonica to start a riot to thwart the gospel (17:5). Envy motivated the chief priests to hand over Jesus to be crucified (Mk. 15:10). Even when it doesn’t lead to such cruel actions, envy takes the place of love and hurts relationships (1 Cor. 13:4).

We need the Lord to help us recognize envy and remove it from our hearts. We don’t want it to become standard equipment in our lives.