prodigal son, the elder son is jealous that his younger brother
gets such a royal welcome even though he and his loose
women swallowed up his father's property (Luke 15:30). And
in the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, the workers
who worked the whole day are jealous that those who came
at the eleventh hour receive the same pay as they did (see
Matthew 20:1-16). But the Father says to the older son: "You
are with me always and all I have is yours" (Luke 15:31). And
the landowner says: "Why should you be envious because I
am generous?" (Matthew 20:15). When we truly enjoy God's
unlimited generosity, we will be grateful for what our brothers
and sisters receive. Jealousy will simply have no place in our
hearts." (Henri Nouwen) Jealousy results from a lack of
gratitude for the blessings God has given me as well as a lack of gratitude for what God has done in the lives of others. In each case, all is gift, which I have not deserved.
Unfortunately, the root of our jealousy is a focus on self rather than God. Whereas, gratitude focuses on God and not self. The temptation of jealousy comes from the evil one , who seeks to separate us from God. The test of gratitude is from God, who seeks to draw us closer to him and others in love.