Cain: Envy and Jealousy is Deadly

“Whatever you help destroy cannot be built in your own life; we must realign our attitudes to celebrate and learn from others’ success.”

After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, they had two sons: Cain and Abel. As the firstborn, Cain held a natural position of authority over his younger brother. However, their peaceful coexistence turned into bitter rivalry when both made sacrifices to God, and only Abel’s was accepted. 

The reason for this distinction lay in the quality and sincerity of their offerings. Abel offered the best of his flock, demonstrating genuine faith and reverence, while Cain’s offering was lesser in quality, revealing a lack of true devotion (Genesis 4:3-5).

Consumed by envy and frustration, Cain saw Abel’s success was a reflection of his own failure. In his heart, he harbored resentment that festered into anger, ultimately leading him to commit the first murder in human history. “I killed my brother because I thought his success was my failure,” Cain confessed, echoing the destructive mindset that led to his downfall (Genesis 4:8).

This story highlights a universal truth: many of us struggle to celebrate the success of others. We may not commit physical murder, but we “kill” with our thoughts, harbouring envy, resentment, and ill will towards those who achieve what we desire. 

In Ghana, for example, it’s not uncommon for politicians out of power to wish for the failure of the incumbent government, hoping for scandals or acts of corruption to prove their point. This destructive mindset does not build; it only tears down.

The Bible warns against such attitudes, reminding us that we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). If we sow seeds of bitterness, envy, and destruction, we will ultimately reap a harvest of disappointment and failure. Conversely, if we learn to celebrate others’ success and seek to learn from them, we open the door to our own growth and success.

In life, whatever you desire to achieve, someone else has already accomplished it. If you’re struggling financially, learn from those who have built wealth. If you are thirsty for knowledge, seek out those who are filled with wisdom. Rather than resenting others, celebrate their success, and use it as a blueprint for your own.

Action Step: Reflect on any envy or resentment you may harbor towards others and replace those feelings with a genuine desire to learn from their success.