A recent visit to one of my very close relative left me with confusion on their behavior and turned to the Bible for answers. While they insist on spending during our stay at their home who also forbid any financial assistance from us for our own stay, they quickly get grumpy for minuscule things my children do that is worth nothing. To give a comparison, they are happy to spend $200 on some gifts for my children while grumpy for a little water spent on shower or lights left on. In this post, we will explore one of the important characteristics of what the Bible calls eye-evil and how we must avoid.
Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies; For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, And waste your compliments.
Prov 23:6-8
In the above proverb, the literal Hebrew word for selfish is evil-eye as in most translations. Some translations use begrudging, bewitching etc. Some non-English translations give a meaning of envy etc.
Money Mindedness
A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him.
Prov 28:22
One of the important characteristics of evil-eyed person being money mindedness who seeks after wealth. They love to show off that they spend but inside their heart is unwillingness and always counting the costs.
It is important to note that counting costs is not wrong. Even Jesus mentions about it (Luke 14:28-29). However, giving a show of being generous on the outside while the heart is unwilling and being greedy or money minded.
Conclusion
Many Christians are evil-eyed as described in the book of Proverbs. They host others, show off to others that they are generous on the outside but inside their hearts is unwillingness, seeking honor from men and greedy seeking after money.
