Genesis 31

Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.” And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. Genesis 31:1-2 NKJV

Jacob’s wealth made Laban’s sons jealous.  We are all occasionally tempted with jealousy of one kind or another.  By comparing ourselves to others, we may be giving jealousy a foothold. We can avoid jealousy by rejoicing in others’ successes: “Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]” (Romans 12:15).  In 1 Corinthians 3:3, Paul noticed jealousy in the early church, and said: “For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” They were being controlled by their own desires instead of God’s desires.  One of the clearest indicators that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives is our contentment and our thankfulness for what we have. Then instead of experiencing potential jealousy, we are able to genuinely celebrate the gifts and blessings of others.

“These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock. That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes. Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.” Genesis 31:38-42 NKJV

Jacob was very hard-working.  He continued to work hard despite being tricked by his boss into marrying the wrong woman, and despite having to endure ten pay cuts.  He even took responsibility for loss of livestock that were stolen.  How we perform in our jobs says a lot about our relationship with God. According to the Bible, our true “Boss” is Jesus Christ himself: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23).  That means we will make it a habit to do more than what is expected of us.  Get to work early.  Stay late.  Don’t complain.  Remember that the truly meaningful paychecks and promotions are stored up in heaven, regardless of whether or not our earthly bosses acknowledge our good work.  Make sure you are the best you can possibly be at your job, knowing that ultimately “you are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:24).