Professional Jealousy - Mr. C. Sekar

Is there professional jealousy among Christians? If so, how do we deal with it? Let’s see what we can learn from the life of Cain and Abel.

‘In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast’ (Gen.4:3-5). Cain and Abel were brothers. They were related through blood … all believers in Christ are related through the Blood of Christ, we become brothers and sisters and we are Blood bought relatives.

They both had different vocations and were successful in their enterprises … we too choose our vocations and try to establish our vision! They knew exactly of each other’s activities. They might have even discussed over various issues concerning their profession? They enjoyed each other’s company. They both were dedicated and brought their offerings to God … we too are anxious in offering our best to God; He in turn blesses our endeavor. A Pure heart and the right motive are the key to blessings.

Till the time of offering all went well with both Cain and Abel … we too enjoy the work of God, we offer our services to God to build His Kingdom. Sometimes our mind gets impregnated with negative thoughts, jealousy being one of them. Self begins to take control, debates of ‘I am the best’, ‘We are doing better than them!’, ‘Our leadership is greater then theirs!’ Most of the time these are unspoken, sub-conscious attitudes that are embedded in our mind that eventually result in devastation.

The offerings were brought and offered. One was accepted, the other was not. Instead of being happy for his younger brother, Cain became angry! Do we see such an attitude among believers, in our missions and churches? Do we tend to focus our attention on the paraphernalia but not on God’s will or purpose for our personal life, mission or church? It would have been better if Cain had stopped at being angry.

Instead, he internalized his anger that turned into wrath, which in turn became murder. How many times have we been caught into such a trap of non co-operative and unrelenting attitude? ‘Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it’ (Gen.4:6-7). God identifies: ‘Why are you so dejected?’ was the question God asked to Cain.

God knew exactly what had happened! Yet He wanted to stimulate Cain to bring the wrongdoing to confession, but Cain chose to retaliate rather than repent. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ (Gen.4:9) … Is this a familiar sequence in many of our lives? Let us consider few of the following suggestions: Our Calling: We need to make sure of our calling, what is it that the Lord wants us to do? Do we fit into the perfect will of God? God does help us to choose what we can do and be faithful in doing that.

Abel was faithful in doing what was entrusted to him. Perhaps Cain took things for granted. Maybe he assumed that the plants would grow by itself and would not have concentrated on the details. Whatever God leads us to do, let us do it faithfully, diligently, not compromising but always complementing to build God’s Kingdom values in the hearts of people, rather than building ‘our kingdom!’ Our Motive: Our pure and committed motive must be to serve the Lord. Our Relationship: Our relationship with others should always be with love, appreciating each ones’ work with all sincerity, not to envy but to encourage and support in what ever way we can. For we all are servants of God belonging to one family! I would give these as the following points for prayer: 1)Right motive in serving the Master. 2) Right relationship with all. 3) Reciprocal communication with sincerity. 4) Re-generating leadership. 5) Resolve all negative aspects with God’s strength.