Then came the boy wonder, the child prodigy, young Mozart. He dazzled the crowds, playing music as if it was second nature to him. Complex melodies came from his dancing fingers. His melodies were complex and fun all at the same time, songs that soared till they seemed to bring heaven right down to earth.

Here’s the catch: Mozart was such an obvious sinner. He was immature, vulgar, and obscene. He made off with the ladies every chance he could get. Salieri grew green with envy. How could life be so unfair. He was the servant of God. Why should Mozart be blessed with such talents? Salieri lived a pious and obedient life. Why should Mozart traffic in all these worldly pleasures and still get ahead? Salieri spent a lifetime of hard and tedious work. Why should it all come so easily for youthful Mozart?

The story continues until Mozart dies a mysterious death. Salieri’s eyes gleam. And in the dramatic climax, Salieri sits in an insane asylum, where he curses God for denying him the kind of talent that blessed young Mozart. Envy lurks on the path of the crushed spirit.

From Wayne Brouwer’s “Taming the Beast,�?Preaching Today, Tape No. 118. As seen in Norman Lawrence’s “A Dose of Inspiration.�?Subscribe by sending any email to [email protected]

From firstIMPRESSION Vol. 8.20

Job 5:2 " For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one."

Pro. 3:31 'Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways."

Pro. 14:30 "A sound heart is ther life of the flesh: but envy the rotteness of the bones."

Pro. 23:17 "Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.