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O sirs, to be angry, because God is bountiful with others; to frown, because God smiles on others; to be bitter, because God is sweet in his dealings with others; and to sigh, because God multiplies favours and blessings upon others; what is this but to turn others' good into our own hurt, others' glory and mercy in to our own punishment and torment? And if this be not to create a hell in our own hearts, I am much mistaken. I shall conclude this first inference with the counsel of the prophet in Psa. 49:16,17, 'Be not though afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.' When the bodies of the wicked are rottign in their graves, and their souls are roaring in hell, none of their worldly greatness, pomp, state, glory, gallantry, riches, rents, or revenues, shall descend after them to administer one drop of comfort to them; and therefore never envy their outward prosperity or worldly glory.
Thomas Brooks
I am guilty of being sorrowful over people's fortune. I often find my self envious of other's and their abilities. Particularly if they're a better communicator or a better husband than I. It's unfortuane that I have felt this way, as Thomas Brooks says,
what is this but to turn others good into our won hurt
I'm reminded that no matter what I seem to lack in my own eyes, I don't lack God. Christ is mine. He has set me apart for Himself (Ps 4:3). What greater treasure is there than God? Are any worldly abilities equal to God? Are any worldly posessions more precious than Him? God is the pearl of infinite value. We ought to sell all we own and cherish that one pearl. I can look at a man and see many great things about him, but they are all in vain if that man have not God. It is all in vain if that man is not set apart for God's possession. It makes sense now why God calls us to boast in Him (Jer 9:23-24). Who wouldn't boast that they are loved by the being who was, and is, and is to come.