by Debbie Robus

Created on: January 24, 2008

Isn't it funny how so many people assume that rich and famous people "have it made" and don't have problems. Yet look at the "beautiful" men and women who can't seem to make a marriage work. Look at the celebrities in Hollywood who have serious problems with alcohol, drugs, eating disorders, physical violence and abuse, and more. And how many times have you looked at someone at church and thought, "they have it all together they don't have any problems." Or, "they are so lucky!" Or you know someone who seems to have a "direct line to God."

Envy is nothing new... it has gone on since God created Adam and Eve. And in Job 12:1-12, we hear Job himself say, "And Job answered and said, "No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease. The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat? With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding." (Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)

Sadly, so many times people are happy when someone rich and famous has troubles. Even worse, it seems to be human nature to see a faithful Christian with problems and say to ourselves, "See, even he/she doesn't have it so tight with God!" And somehow we feel better for that. This is what Job is saying to his friends... he feels like they are laughing a little at his expense and saying, "yeah, Job... you have it soooo together, and yet God is giving you a pile of trouble so ha, ha, ha!"

The truth is, we are none of us any better than anyone else or "luckier" than anybody else. In God's eyes, we are all His children we can all enjoy His blessings... but we are each one accountable for our behavior and our choices... AND we are all responsible for how we react to the trials and temptations and struggles of an earthly life.

To look at another person and make a judgment about their life is simply not our job. And that's what Job is telling his friends... nobody's life is perfect... but as a friend told me recently, "it's not what you've got, but what you do with it." So how are you doing?

Learn more about this author, Debbie Robus.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.