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Acts 13:42-52
As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
We were at a conference at a large and influential church – we five pastors. It was part of our Pastoral Leadership Institute training. They had converted a large manufacturing facility into a church building. Offices, Sunday School rooms, youth center, worship space, and a wonderfully open gathering area which some would call a narthex. We would better call it a commons or gathering area. This wasn’t a traditional church building afterall.
While we were there, the five pastors began to confess our sins of church envy. We visited large and successful churches around our nation. They had beautiful buildings, gifted staff members, and a rich array of programming. If only we had such resources in our churches!
While I was there, I was led by the Holy Spirit to 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, “So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”
It was for me a profound realization. The church did not belong to Wayne, Steve, Mark, or John. The church belongs to God. Whether I’m up in front preaching and at the helm leading, it’s not my church. I need never be envious of another’s success. I don’t have to envy their staff, buildings, programs, or status. It all belongs to Christ. And I belong to him.
Sadly the Jews didn’t see things that way. They were envious. In fact they were, “they were filled with jealousy.” That’s not a good thing to be filled with. That is a fuel that will burn us out. It will not propel a godly life of service and sacrifice.
Since those days long ago, I’ve had the chance to lead a large church with a tremendous staff. I’ve enjoyed some degree of success. I’m glad to say not the degree of success as megachurch pastors have enjoyed. That’s because I’m all in for giving God the glory. His is the kingdom, power, and glory. His is the church, honor, and majesty. His is the salvation, praise, and splendor. Let us never be envious of the attention he receives. Rather let’s see how much attention we can point toward him.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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