Daniel 3:8-12 – Focus on what we have and not what we lack.

Proverbs 27:4 says, "Wrath is fierce, and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?" There is no telling what a person can do when he or she is jealous. The Chaldeans in Daniel 3:8 proved this proverb to be accurate by being envious of Daniel's three friends.

The reason for their jealousy of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego is not explicitly revealed, but we can make a sanctified guess. Nebuchadnezzar had placed Daniel's three friends in administrative positions, which the Chaldeans felt they were more entitled to. After all, the three devoted Jews were foreigners and not Babylonians like them.

Green with envy, they saw the Jews' refusal to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image as a golden opportunity to do them in. Daniel 3:8-12 then tells us that they brought to Nebuchadnezzar's attention the three devoted Jews' non-compliance with his decree. They make it look like their decision not to bow to the image as taking personal issue with the king. To drill it in, they said, "These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."

Notice how they frame their presentation. They left no room for the king not to act. They were insinuating that if he didn't take the three friends to task, his decree would have no value and would not be taken seriously. It was calculated to goad the king into action. How sinister!

Here are the lessons we can glean from these verses. Jealousy is a propensity of fallen people. Know that promotion comes from God. To overcome this harmful attitude of jealousy, we must cultivate godly mindsets. Be glad about what we have because godliness with contentment is a significant gain. Consider others better than ourselves. Rejoice with what others have rather than bemoan what we lack. Appreciate what we have rather than envy what others have. Some will always be better off than us, and some less fortunate than us.

We must appraise life rightly, for if we do not, discontentment can set in, leading us to think that others have robbed us of our entitlement. When that happens, jealousy gains a foothold in our lives, causing us to scheme to harm them. Seek to improve by all means, but learn to be content with what we have.