dude, nice coat.

Galatians 5:25-26

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Other versions:

·      Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

·      That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.

Amen! Right? It’s easy to agree with those words... we really shouldn’t want to live a jealous life provoking one another. But, it is hard!

Many of you know that I teach third grade at a Christian school. We spend the majority of our school year in our Bible class talking about Joseph’s life. I love teaching it because there are so many great applications to our lives! One of them is how we shouldn’t provoke one another or be jealous of one another, like what this verse says.

Joseph’s brothers were very jealous of him. But who could really blame them? He was highly favored and given a beautiful robe. He also had two dreams, which he shared with the brothers. Both dreams foretold a day in which the brothers were bowing down to Joseph. Well, of course the brothers didn’t like this... could you imagine someone you know that always gets good grades and is great at sports, and is always bragging to you about it? Not really the best conversation...

Well, the jealousy the brothers had toward Joseph turned to anger and hatred; extreme anger and hatred. They ended up taking him away and selling him to slavery. Then, lying about it to their father by saying wild animals killed Joseph.

This is very extreme, but it shows why we shouldn’t let jealousy get to us.

Many years later, after a series of unfortunate events in Joseph’s life (that ended up showing God’s plan through it all) the brothers come to Egypt to get grain during the famine. Joseph is now in charge and recognizes them. At first he doesn’t let them know it is he, but has a little “fun” with his brothers in order to see Benjamin (the youngest and second favorite brother) and Jacob (Joseph’s father). Please read the chapters in Genesis if you are not familiar with the story! Through Joseph’s intricate plans, the brothers are made to think that these bad things are happening to them because of what they did to Joseph. This shows the guilt they never were able to get rid over many MANY years!

Because of God’s love and sovereignty, Joseph is able to forgive his brothers. Many of my third graders agree that if they were Joseph they would punch the brothers or send them to slavery because of all of the bad things that happened to him.

During our lessons, one day I gave each student a brown bag. Each brown bag had at least one jolly rancher in it... some had up to six pieces. Every student was able to look in their bag and just tell me how they felt. Many were happy, excited, thankful, or hungry. Then I had them dump the candy out and look around. They totally changed. Now they said they were sad, confused or angry. Why the change? When we look around to see what others have, it is easy to get jealous. The jealousy can really be a problem for us. We just have to trust God and thank Him for what we DO have... He blesses each of us differently and has all things work together for OUR good. 

Answer This:

1) What is the last time that you were really jealous of someone else? Why?   (if you are having trouble remember all the way back then, uh, try yesterday, or the day before… if you are trying to go back farther than that you're just not trying.)

2) Ever been in the position where people are jealous of you, like you are the favored one and they are jealous of you?

3) “Let us not become _____________, or provoke one another, or be _____________ of one another”

4) Why do we get jealous of other people’s stuff, God gave us stuff but instead of being content we are jealous of other people’s stuff, jealous about what’s in their bag and not happy with what was in our bag.

Take a minute to journal about this passage.

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Written by Melissa McKechnie