Compassion Killer – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop

Let’s examine another compassion killer, jealousy.

Jealousy most often arises from comparison—comparing our finances to others, our careers, our titles at work, the amount of credit or time in the spotlight we get compared to a coworker on our team. Our relationship status, our house, kids, car, spouse, our looks, the list goes on and on. When we compare our lives to others it can lead to a feeling of lack, which can ultimately lead to resentment that poisons our relationships. When we compare ourselves to others, our hearts can go cold and be driven to apathy, insensitivity, and animosity.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice (James 3:16).

Jealousy creates a barrier that prevents us from expressing genuine care for others and celebrating their good fortune.

Jesus embodied compassion and taught us to do the same.

In Luke 15, Jesus shares an example of compassion (and lack of it) through the parable of the prodigal son.

In this story, we learn a man had two sons. We see the younger one demanding his inheritance and leaving his father’s household only to live recklessly, squander everything he had, and drive his life into the ground.

When he runs out of money and finds himself destitute, he decides to return home. Instead of acting in anger and disowning him, his father responds with compassion and joy and welcomes him with open arms. When his father sees him approaching, he feels compassion and runs and embraces him and kisses him (Luke 15:20).

His older brother on the other hand is filled with anger and jealousy rather than compassion for his brother’s poor choices. He says,

Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him! (Luke 15:29-30).

In his eyes, his younger brother did not deserve the warm and joyous homecoming.

The bottom line is jealousy kills compassion and can cause us to act in ways that are not becoming of a follower of Jesus. When we focus on our own blessings and practice gratitude, rather than comparing them to the good fortune of others we can free ourselves from the grip of jealousy, trust in God’s provision, and allow compassion to thrive.