Let's consider the following scenario. You and your brother are both invited to a very special party in honor of a mutual friend. Your brother had been planning for this party for weeks and carefully picked out a beautiful gift which he knew his friend would appreciate.

Your gift, on the other hand, had been hurriedly purchased on the way with little regard as to whether or not your friend would like it. The recipient absolutely loves your brother's gift and makes quite a show of it. You feel the blood rushing up into your face as your friend reaches for your gift. Rage is beginning to rise up. You are mad at your brother for giving something that highly accentuates the contrast between his and yours. Sure enough; you are thoroughly humiliated in front of everyone for your contribution.

As you stomp out the door, you friend follows you, asking why you are mad. You don't say anything. You're not trying to defend your choice of a gift; you just want to get out of there. Now you're mad at your friend as well as your brother!

What happens if you should wander off, ignore the pleas of your friend and brother, and sulk alone with your thoughts? Soon your thoughts will be taking a hold of you and confirm that indeed you have the right to be mad.

You know that your gift was far below the quality you really would have loved to have given your special friend. You also know that your brother had brought a present worthy of appreciation for a true and faithful comrade. After all, this particular friend would risk his own life to save yours.

You now have become jealous of your brother and resentful of your very best friend for being disappointed. He has done so much for you both and you rewarded him with a trinket and attitude of nonchalance. It was a symbol of ingratitude and irreverence.

What happens when jealousy controls you? Could it be a sign that you consider yourself better than the other person? If the other has been commended for his generosity, then why shouldn't the quality of your gift as well as yourself be overlooked? After all, it shouldn't be the cost of the gift that counts, right?

Ah! But doesn't the gift reflect the giver's heart? The guest of honor discerned the heart, and consequently gave you ample chance to explain and ask for forgiveness.

Isn't that a picture of God? Doesn't He give you everything and want the very best for you? He deserves to be honored at all times, whether you feel like it or not. He is looking for those who give with a cheerful heart; not out of duty.

Abel gave the first, perfect lamb from his flock of the season with a heart full of gratitude and reverence to God. Cain gave an offering of fruit and vegetables. (Gen. 4: 3-4) It does not specify whether it had been the first,most precious produce or should have been a lamb as a blood sacrifice. God knew that Cain's heart was not in his gift.

God showed himself as a benevolent Father when He asked Cain why he was angry. He not only gave Cain the chance to ask for forgiveness, but also warned him about the consequences of his actions if he did not. God reminded him that, if he showed humility and obedience, he would be accepted. However, if he chose not to do so, then sin would rule his life. (Gen 4: 7)

You know the rest of the story of how he allowed jealousy to seethe into pride, which eventually led him to commit murder. Even then, God in His role of judge, gave him another chance. Instead, Cain showed contempt of the Judge by first lying and then retorting with an angry question.

Humility humbles sinners to ask for forgiveness. Jealousy, on the other hand, if allowed to influence the mind, will progress into pride. Pride transformed the most beautiful archangel into God's worst enemy. Don't allow it to to take a hold in your life.

No matter how great a sinner you think you may be, God is waiting to forgive you. And... when He forgives, He forgets!

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

Yes; He refuses to remember your sins for His own sake! Not for yours - but His! He does not want to look on sin; He is Love!

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us." (1 John 1: 8-10)