Ministry jealousy.

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” (John 21:20-21 ESV)

It caused marriage problems for Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Leah… and Rachel. It caused family turmoil for Isaac, Rebecca and their sons. It plagued the disciples. It made the prodigal’s brother miss the party. It cost Haman his life. It ruined Saul’s leadership.

But it is especially deadly when it infects the pastor, church leader, minister.

Jealousy.

Jealousy is the burning feeling that “you have more than me, you’re getting more attention than me, you have a greater ministry than me, people applaud you more than me.” Its Peter asking Jesus, “hey, what about John? What are you letting him do in ministry as opposed to me?”

It can be motivated by pride- “why do you have more; I’M better!”, or by low self-esteem- “you’re better, and I’ll never have what you have.”

Jealousy is that rare sin that almost never brings pleasure. Lust, greed, gluttony, hate- those can bring a little satisfaction for a moment. But for the most part jealousy never pays or pleasures the one infected.

How do you know if you suffer from ministry jealousy? A quick test…

1. Do you spend more time each day dreaming about what you will accomplish and how it is being perceived- or more time thinking about the glory of God?
2. Do you find yourself Tweeting more positive reports on Sundays about your ministry, after reading what a great Sunday everyone else had?
3. Do you constantly feel like you’re in a competition with other churches, or when talking with other pastors?
4. When someone’s ministry is more successful, reaching more people, getting more attention in the blogs, conferences and Twitterverse, how does it make you feel?
5. How do you feel about ministers who are better than you at what you love doing most [preaching, blogging, etc]?
6. How often do you celebrate another ministry/minister’s success?
7. How often do you pray sincerely for the success of another church or pastor?

I have often failed this test. Satan knows how to churn up jealousy in my heart towards good people and good works. When I struggle, I go back to John 21 and review the treatment for jealousy:

• I hear Jesus tell me- “Don’t worry about John - YOU follow ME!” [v22]

• I remember that “John” is my team member, my brother. We need each other, and Jesus loves us both

• I remember that Jesus has already given me more “fishing” success in ministry than I can handle, so I shouldn’t worry that I don’t have more [v6]

• I realize that Jesus has a ministry plan already tailored just for me [v18-19]

• I remember that “It is the LORD!” that gets all the glory - not me, and not John [v19]

Turn your jealous “what about this man?“, to a glorifying “It is the LORD!”