Green-eyed Monster

A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? (Proverbs 27:3-4 ESV). 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! Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18 ESV).