Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 NIV
"And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person's envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Fools fold their hands
and ruin themselves. Better one handful with tranquillity
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind."
Achievement can create a prideful nature, and envy can drive us to do crazy things. To put our time in the wrong area. To prioritize the wrong things. Things are not what are important. To chase after the wind. Relationships are what God sees as important. My relationship with God and with people, that is what counts and will last. When I'm envious, I am not at peace; I'm stressed because I'm trying to get something that I either don't need or that is beyond my ability. And when I do, I toil long and hard, as if chasing after the wind. But God says I must be tranquil, to be at peace, to love Him and to love people. And when I do, life will seem easier and it will be more satisfying.
Lord, help me to avoid the pitfall of envy, of achievement that leads to pride. Help me to avoid the danger of wanting too much. Help me to give my time the right perspective. To do the things that matter most to you. Lord, that I can love you and love people as you love. To deepen my relationship with you, and to develop my relationship with the people that matter most in my life. To seek out people that need your help Lord, and to provide your hands to them. To you my Lord and Savior be the glory.
