Envy in Christian Ministry

As Christians, we tend to shrink away from addressing the fact that our fellow Christian coworkers in ministry are redeemed sinners—and so are we.

Friction between Christians does occur, particularly in ministry settings. It is not what God desires for us (Psalm 133:1) but it happens, nevertheless, because each Christian still fights with his or her own sin nature. (Romans 7) All too often, that friction stems from the sin of envy.

Envy in ministry might look like a tendency to be territorial about a particular job or position or classroom. This results in defensiveness and lashing out at those who get too close or want to change things.

It also might take the form of a bitter discontentedness with the ministry God has given you, a desire to exchange that ministry for one that is more fruitful or prestigious.

Or, it could also sneak in as a longing for something God has not allowed you which you feel would make your ministry more effective. (i.e. a spouse, children, a better vehicle or house, etc.)

Whatever the object of envy, its cause is the same: pride. Envy is the result of listening to the tempting whispers of the world, the flesh, and the devil, attacking our trust in the character of God.

To envy is to accuse God of not providing all we need. That, in turn, is to accuse God of being deficient in either goodness, wisdom, or power. If we believe that God is perfectly good, wholly wise, and all-powerful, we will trust that He knows what He is doing. We will trust that whatever “lack” we seem to have is allowed on purpose for our good and His glory.

Envy is the opposite of servant-hearted ministry. Galatians 5:26 says,

“Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another”

Envy in ministry is all about self, so the cure for envy is a focus on God. As we see God as He is, we will also see ourselves as we are, and the difference will cause our hearts to cry out as Isaiah did, “Woe unto me, for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5) or as Peter did, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” (Luke 5:8)

Paul faced the opposition of envious people throughout his ministry. Many of these occurrences were by the unsaved, as in Acts 13:45, where the Jews were moved with envy as Paul’s preaching of gospel drew large crowds. But he did also experience envy among the saved. In Philippians 1:15-18 he says,

“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”

It's hard to imagine someone preaching Christ out of spite—but then again, perhaps it’s not. We do essentially the same thing whenever our service for God becomes motivated by competition.

Just like those spiteful preachers tried to outdo Paul in sharing the gospel, thinking it would add to his misery in prison, we can also get caught up in trying to outdo others, whether with numbers of people brought to church, numbers of hours spent preparing a lesson or doing some behind-the-scenes preparation, the difficulty level of a musical arrangement, or even a “perfect” record of faithfulness in attending church or ministry functions.

When my eyes are on others, my heart reacts in pride, seeking attention for itself. That is not serving. Look at the contrast between that self-seeking competitivity and Paul’s attitude towards Peter in Galatians 2:8:

For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.”

Envy evaporates when we remember that the same God works through each Christian. We must trust His leading and working in the hearts and lives of those with whom we minister for Him.

When there is friction, we must first check ourselves, look for envy and pride in our own hearts. If it is a Christian brother or sister who is responding in envy to us, our responsibility is to pray, to live out the God-centered focus of Galatians 2:8 and Philippians 1 before them, and to show them the lovingkindness and longsuffering God so often bestows upon us.

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” 

James 3:14-18