The green-eyed monster lurks in every human heart: If only I had what she has… If I was more like him, then I’d be satisfied… Why am I continually overlooked? … Why do they get the glory? Jealousy, envy, and coveting—we push them away and they keep finding their way back. They spoil everything.
Christian lives are corrupted by our dissatisfied desires. Ministries are damaged, relationships are ruined, and churches are compromised by people feeling entitled. And it’s not just them—it’s you, it’s me, it’s every one of us. We find it so natural to compare and complain. We think we deserve better and others should know better.
A man at church is asked to join the set up/pack up team, but he only wants to preach. A woman leaves the music ministry because she can’t be the song leader. A pastor moves to another church where he can do what he wants to do. Small group leaders doing their own thing because they don’t like the direction of the minister. Jealousy that your colleague gets the invitations to speak. Annoyance that another church is encroaching on your patch. Bothered that others get more praise than you do. Frustrated that I don’t get the opportunities or the recognition I deserve. Do you see glimpses of the green-eyed monster in your heart?
Korah
In Numbers 16 we see pride, envy, and self-pity at work in the heart of Korah. Korah’s responsibilities aren’t central. They’re on the edges. Moses and Aaron entered the most holy place to offer sacrifices, whereas Korah remained outside on the threshold. Moses and Aaron covered the ark and tabernacle furnishings when they moved camp, whereas Korah was not allowed to look at them, let alone handle them. What’s more, Korah had to carry them (without peeking at or touching the items) to the next camp. Korah has had enough. His pride takes control. He gathers 250 influential men and makes his case against Moses and Aaron:
You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord? (Numbers 16:3)
Moses is gutted and the LORD is grieved. Moses says to Korah:
Hear now, you sons of Levi: is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? (verses 8–10)
The LORD had called Korah to minister to his people. The Almighty Creator and Redeemer had given Korah the privilege of serving him, by placing him in a special position with important responsibilities. This wasn’t earned by effort or merit, but was granted entirely by God’s grace. But that’s not enough for Korah. His wicked heart is revealed. This isn’t just petty jealousy, this is dissatisfaction with and dissent against God.
Sinkholes
The LORD God promises to bring judgement on Korah and his colleagues for their rebellion. Moses warns God’s people not to participate in Korah’s corruption. They are to flee from the tents of the wicked lest the ground swallow them up. This is their final call to repentance. Many do, but not Korah:
And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. (Numbers 16:31–33)
The LORD creates a sinkhole and it swallows all who rebelled against him. God will not be mocked. There is no place for grumbling, jealousy, pride, or discord among God’s people. He is the Holiest of Holies and it is only by his grace that anyone may stand in his presence. Being among God’s people is not a right, but a gift. Serving God is not an achievement, but a privilege. God owes us nothing. We owe him all.
Servant Hearts
There is another who, like Korah, goes down into Sheol, into the depths. One who (like Jonah, rather than Korah) spends three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matt 12:40). Unlike Korah, he is not guilty. He committed no sin. He knew no pride, no jealousy, no conceit, no rebellious dissatisfaction. Though he was entitled to all, he did not grab hold of it. He made no complaints. There was no earthly glory to be gained by his ministry—only the joy of serving and glorifying his Father. Jesus is the opposite of Korah. He succeeded where Korah failed. Jesus is pure where we are corrupted.
Jesus is the personification of humility, he is the antithesis of pride. He washed the dust and dung off his disciples’ feet (Jn 13:1–17). For the joy set before him Jesus endured the cross and despised its shame (Heb 12:2). Jesus gave his life for ours, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God (1Pet 3:18). And he set us the example of serving as he served. We are called not to seek our own vain glory, to be willingly overlooked, to do menial tasks, to not give in to pride or self-pity.
What about you? Are you satisfied in Jesus Christ? Do you shun rivalry and competition? Do you show humility by counting others more significant than yourself? Are you often worried about your own interests, or do you know deep down that Jesus has that covered, freeing you to focus on the interests of others (Phil 2:1–5)?
