Yesterday, we saw godly love is first described as “patient and kind.” In First Corinthians 13, Paul does not just tell us what love is; he also describes what love is not. The next portrayal of godly love is that “….love does not envy.”
To “envy” is to burn hot against someone, typically out of jealousy. Such an attitude directly contradicts godly love. If we seek to be Christians, we cannot allow ourselves to be envious of other’s possessions, abilities, or station in life. Maybe someone has more than we do. Perhaps someone is more talented than we are. Others may enjoy more success than we do. When we are motivated by love, such things won’t make us envious, they will cause us to rejoice for and with others. At work, school, home, and especially at church, work on rejoicing in the abilities and good fortunes of others. Get rid of envy and find the joy of real, godly love.