The third characteristic in our, "Love is..." series is, "... love does not envy or boast..." The Google definition of envy is, " a feeling of discontentment or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck." To boast means to "talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities." (Google). In both cases, the heart of these two characteristics are the same... self. To envy or boast is to put the focus on self ahead of others. It's wanting to be in the limelight... number one. This is not love.
Of course we are encouraged in the Bible to do our best in whatever we do, but we are to do it for the glory of God, not our glory. It is to show God's goodness to other's for the purpose of leading them towards salvation for their good, not for the purpose of showing off. In fact, this is really the key to this whole series. Love is not self-serving. It looks to advance others before self. It honors others and rejoices when others succeed. Today, what are some ways we can put others before self by showing them God's goodness as we walk like Jesus?
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