Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I'm Sheridan Voizzi, and I've titled today's reading, Overcoming Envy.

In the film Armadais, aging composer Antonio Celieri plays some of his music on the piano for a visiting priest.

The embarrassed priest confesses he doesn't recognize the tunes.

What about this one? Salieri says, playing an instantly familiar melody.

I didn't know you wrote that, the priest says. I didn't, Salieri replies.

That was Mozart.

As viewers discover, Mozart's success had caused deep envy in Salieri,

even leading him to play a part in Mozart's death.

A song lies at the heart of another envy story.

After David's victory over Goliath in 1 Samuel 18, the Israelites heartily sing, Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands.

The comparison doesn't sit well with King Saul. Envious of David's success and afraid of losing his

throne, Saul begins a prolonged pursuit of David trying to take his life. Like Salieri with music

or Saul with power, we're usually tempted to envy those with similar but greater gifts than we

possess. And whether it's picking fault with their work

or belittling their success, we too can seek to damage our rivals. Saul had been divinely chosen

for his task, a status that should have fostered security in him rather than envy. Since we each

have unique callings too,

maybe the best way to overcome envy

is to quit comparing ourselves.

Let's celebrate each other's successes instead.

Today's scripture reading

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