DAY FIVE: GUARDING AGAINST JEALOUSY

Review:

• There are as many ministries/callings (assignments) as there are believers,
  and all work together to accomplish God’s will and bring glory to Him.
• Whatever your assignment, God has equipped you to carry out your calling and
  ministry, and it is He who will bring about the results that He desires.
• As a part of the team that is the body of Christ, you have certain
  responsibilities; to carry out your assignment and to encourage the other
  members of your team.
• If Christ is at the heart of each assignment, working through each believer,
  then no assignment is any more/less important or essential than any other.
• It’s only natural that you would feel confident in your assignment, but you
  must guard against the tendency to allow your confidence and enthusiasm to grow
  into pride and arrogance.

Mark 10:32-45

People who are not Christians live their life striving for power, stepping on
people to get to the top and hurting others so they will look good. But, that is
not the way of the follower of Christ. Christians understand that God will move
and shape their life’s calling and God has called each person first to serve.

As you discover your assignment, be careful also to guard against jealousy.
As we’ve discussed, you were designed with your assignment in mind and vice
versa, and there are no assignments any more/less important than any other
because Christ is at the center of each, ministering through each believer.
However, there are some assignments that are more visible and/or may elicit more
respect and honor from the body than others.

Our human nature desires recognition and acceptance. We have already received
love and acceptance from God and the opportunity for a fulfilling relationship
with Him. That should be enough. To desire more than what God gives is
selfishness, and it must be overcome if we are each to be content in our own
assignment. If we cannot be content in our own assignment, then our discontent
could impair the overall work of the body.

Remember the servant’s attitude that Jesus demonstrated? Remember the
humiliating death He died?

Reread Philippians 2:8-9 .

How did God bring honor to Jesus? How much greater is honor given by God than
honor given by man!

Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your
journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you.

Are you someone who struggles with jealousy? What desire is at the root of
jealousy?

What does jealousy do to the body of Christ? Have you ever witnessed this?

What benefit is there in being given an assignment to which less honor is
normally attached? Would you rather be given honor by man or God?

What has God been teaching you about your assignment?