The Green-eyed Monster

A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is heavier than both. Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy? (Proverbs 27:3-4 NLV).

The following story is often told for the truth, however, it cannot be substantiated. It does provide an interesting story to illustrate jealousy and envy and the resulting damage they can do in our lives.

Walter ordered a Jaguar the minute he became a partner in the law firm. He'd earned his wealth, now he was intent on enjoying it. Flaunting it, even! It was a beautiful car. However, after a week, he began to notice an annoying rattle. He brought it back to the dealership where they did a thorough check-up. They found nothing wrong with the car and told him he was just sensitive because it was a new car. But the rattle was still there! After two more check-ups by the dealership, Walter vowed not to bring the car to them again. Every time he got in the car, the rattle annoyed him just a little bit more, until he was so enraged that he decided to pull the car apart in his driveway. Three hours later, the rattle was still there each time he started the car. He turned the car off and got out. Enraged, he kicked the door panel just below the handle. Surprise, there was the rattle, even though the car wasn't running! Walter tore the inside of the door off and found what had bothering him all this time. There was an empty bottle of whiskey with a note inside. Walter opened the bottle and read the note: "You finally found it! I drank this fifth of whiskey my last day working for Jaguar, and couldn't resist giving it to someone! I hope it drove you crazy!”

Anecdotal evidence dates this story to at least 1969. It gained national prominence in 1986 when Brian "Boz" Bosworth, then a star linebacker at the University of Oklahoma, claimed in Sports Illustrated's preseason football issue to have sabotaged cars in this fashion while working at the General Motors plant in Oklahoma City during the summer of 1985. Boz eventually apologized for repeating a yarn as fact, thus calling into question the quality control practices at that local General Motors plant. A fellow employee said of the incident, "He heard a lot of auto war stories, but we don't even have any nuts or bolts in that part of the plant where Brian worked." It is interesting to think that someone might feel this way about others. We do know many stories of how people have become resentful toward others in their good fortune. The key to life is not in the demise of others, but in blessing them and asking God to do MORE for them!

If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness. (James 3:13-18 NLV).