“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16).

     The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has long struggled to generate widespread public interest. Attendance and television ratings have historically lagged behind men’s basketball. But in recent months, the league has experienced a dramatic surge in popularity—largely due to the arrival of Caitlin Clark, a dynamic rookie whose electrifying style of play has captivated fans nationwide.

     Thanks in part to Clark, WNBA arenas are now packed, merchandise sales have spiked, and viewership is up significantly. Her popularity has also benefited fellow players through greater exposure, improved travel accommodations, and increased revenue for the league.

But not everyone has responded positively.

      Despite leading fan voting for the WNBA All-Star Game by a historic margin, Clark was ranked just ninth among guards in player voting—a sharp discrepancy that sparked national debate. Some observers believe the ranking reflects resentment over her rapid rise and overwhelming media spotlight. Others point to reasonable considerations—such as her rookie status, recent injuries, or the tendency of peer voting to favor veterans. Still, the repeated hard fouls and visible tension surrounding her presence suggest that envy may be part of the picture.

But envy isn’t limited to sports. I’ve seen families divided, churches fractured, and businesses sabotaged by it. When someone else is praised, promoted, or prospering, envy can quietly erode our own contentment. Instead of rejoicing in another’s blessing, we resent that they make more money, enjoy a nicer home, take better vacations, or receive more recognition than we do.

    Before long, envy sours our spirit and can grow into destructive behavior.  It’s a pattern we see repeated throughout scripture.

Cain was jealous of God’s favor on Abel’s offering. He grew angry and killed his brother. God warned him beforehand, “…sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7b)

When the people sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7), Saul grew resentful. That envy soon turned to suspicion, then hatred, and eventually drove him to madness.

Solomon later wrote,

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” (Proverbs 14:30).

If you find yourself jealous of someone else’s success, even to the point of tearing them downrepent and ask God for forgiveness. Then meditate on this passage, and strive to live it out:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:6–11).

 

Bob Russell is retired Senior Minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY.