Reasons not to envy people....

Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They aren't troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. "Does God realize what is going on?" they ask. "Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?" Look at these arrogant people--enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. (Psalm 73:1-12)

Sound familiar? To me it this description of the proud sounds like those on Wall Street and in the banking industry who made money off the bad mortgage industry. You had people signing off on foreclosures without looking at what they were signing; signing away other people's homes just like that. Of course, you had the banks making mortgages to people who really couldn't afford them in the first place, thereby guaranteeing their credit would be wrecked and they'd wind up in bankruptcy. Several years of upheaval in the financial and housing markets, and some of these people didn't seem to care what they'd done. It was difficult to understand. However, Asaph, the man who wrote psalm 73 continues:

Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrrors. Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life. (Psalm 73:17-20)

So instead of envying these people, we ought to be praying for them, that God will find them and call them to Him. Because really, there is nothing they have worthy of envy. You can't take money with you when you die, but we have God.

You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever. (Psalm 73:24-26)

Lovely thought, amen? I know that my health is fairly good, but that may change any time, and my spirit certainly fails me at times, but God always has my back. He is mine, and I am His. That is the ultimate joy.