When a company decides to hire a new talent from the outside instead of promoting someone from within, it can potentially result in increased productivity and a much-needed boost in morale for the entire team. Sometimes all that’s needed to get to the next level is finding the right person who has some fresh ideas and a can-do attitude.
But depending on the power dynamics and the overall chemistry of the team, it can also create an atmosphere of division and jealousy.
Today’s Scripture reading is from 1 Samuel 18:6-9.
“When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!”
“This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”
Saul had no one to blame but himself. If I’d simply told the young boy no, none of this would be happening. You’re half his size. You don’t stand a chance. No! I won’t let you do this!” But Saul did, and not once did he consider that David, this young boy who had never won a fight against his brothers, never mind having fought a military battle in his life, would come out victorious.
And now… look at them. They’re chanting his name. They know nothing about him, other than a lucky strike from a stone in a sling. The nerve! They are singing his praises and elevating him over me!
The sad reality is that Saul showed a lot of promise early on as king. He was a great military leader who had led the Israelites to victory in several major battles. But he also made some serious blunders that angered the Lord. Saul simply refused to listen to Samuel and chose to do things his way instead of God’s. And now, this smelly little shepherd boy has stolen his thunder. Saul’s jealousy of David would begin the unraveling of his kingship and ultimately his life. What a hard, hard lesson it ended up being for Saul.
There’s a hard lesson for us here, too. Jealousy and pride are not things to be toyed with. No matter how successful we may think we are, there is always someone who can do better than we can. God equips those to do His will and He equips them well. So when our achievements become my achievements, God’s ears perk up big time. If there’s one thing God does not like, it is a self-made man’s pride that refuses to share the spotlight with Himself and others.
The moment we start making our success all about us, God has his jealous eye on us, too.
Former Blackout Artist 