Excerpt from James 3:13–18

"For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind."

Reflection by Christina Villa

Few of us avoid the experience of envy.  Your sister can eat all she wants and still be a size 6.  Your neighbor can afford a nice new car.  And most of us aren't Mother Theresa all the time when it comes to "selfish ambition."  We can all think of times when we put our own interests ahead of anyone else's — just because we could get away with it. 

Today's Scripture gives fair warning of the consequences of these universal feelings and behaviors: "Disorder and wickedness of every kind."  Every kind.  Wars are waged for the same reasons we squabble with relatives or don't get along with co-workers. Reluctance to ever put someone else's interest ahead of your own.  Resentment at other people's good fortune or power. Inability to share credit.  Refusal to take blame. What's true for individuals is true for nations. 

Envy and selfishness sound petty and trivial. But they are "stealth sins"--easy to overlook but at the root of so much that disrupts life and happiness for so many.  Start with your own life and happiness and see how much "wickedness and disorder" you can avoid by taking this Scripture seriously.

Prayer

Dear God, interrupt me with something real when I start measuring myself against what other people have.  Amen.

About the Author Christina Villa is on the staff of the United Church of Christ in Cleveland, Ohio.