I hate that nasty, whiny voice in my head that says, ‘He’s not doing a very good job in his position. I could do it better.” I should be saying, “He has a lot to do. What could I do to help?” Why is my first thought, “She got a lot of praise, but I haven’t gotten any.”?  Instead, I should be thinking, “That’s great that she is being recognized. She deserves it.” We all hate to admit that we have those prideful, jealous thoughts as we compete with others instead of cooperating with them. Scripture shows us the ugliness of competition and the beauty and peace of cooperation.

Joseph’s brothers hated him because he was the favorite son. They hated him more because he tattled on their bad behavior. They hated him even more because he had big dreams from God. They deeply resented these dreams that elevated him to authority over them. They fought for their position by getting rid of him.
“So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” Genesis 37:17-20

Moses’ own brother and sister challenged his God-appointed leadership. They said, ‘We’re just as important as him. We should be getting our due respect.’
“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses…Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the Lord heard this.
“Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.” Numbers 12:2, 8-9

David’s brothers and father disrespected him as being too young for worthwhile endeavors. Although all his brothers were invited to the prophet Samuel’s feast, he was ignored until Samuel pressed them to send for him. Even though the king, himself asked for David’s services, his father refused to relinquish him to full-time royal service and insisted he split his time between the king and his father’s sheep. He’s so young that he’s really only good for menial jobs, after all. His brothers were antagonistic and attacked his character and motives when he talked about fighting the giant Goliath. Ever since he could remember, he was put down and dismissed by his family.
“When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men,[about killing the giant], he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 1 Samuel 17:28

Although initially a favorite of the king, after his brave victory over the giant, the king became murderously jealous because he was praised more by the people. Much later, David’s own wife belittled him, criticizing him for his exuberant worship. But in spite of opposition from those who should have loved him, he found all he needed in God.

“They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands.” King Saul in  1 Samuel 18:8
“. . . when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. . . “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” Michal, David’s wife, criticizing his exuberance in bringing the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6:16, 20
“Lord, you alone are everything I need. You make my life secure.” David speaking to God in Psalm 16:5

Saul wrongfully tried to kill David, yet David refused to kill God’s appointed leader even when he had the opportunity. Instead, he was willing to wait for God’s timing to become king. Although David couldn’t respect Saul’s character, he did respect the office that God had appointed him to.
“He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words, David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.” 1 Samuel 24:6-7

We must check ourselves when an inner voice says:
~ Why did they get recognized, but I didn’t?
~ I can do that job better than they can. I should take over.
~ I can do that just as well as they do. I should get equal opportunity and credit.
~ Who are they to tell me what to do?
~ I know better.  I know how to do it right.

Scripture gives us positive examples of cooperating in order to do God’s work:
Esther was the queen, yet she respected her cousin/adopted dad so much that she risked her life to obey him. Mordecai had information she didn’t have, and she had influence he didn’t have. Together, they saved the Jews.
“But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up… I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 2:20, 4:15

Jonathan, the son of King Saul, was the rightful heir to the throne, yet he embraced the young man who would take his place as king. Jonathan didn’t cling to his rights. He stepped away from what should have been his in order to protect and encourage David so David could become king.
“You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you…” Jonathan in 1 Samuel 23:17

Paul was educated and brilliant, yet he never attempted to plant churches on his own. He had co-laborers at all times. Some were apprentices like Timothy; some were equals like Apollos and Barnabas; some were groups of men chosen to lead the new churches- elders. He, himself, deferred to the council at Jerusalem made up of some of the original disciples of Jesus. Although he was a respected leader, he willingly put himself under their authority.
“So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.” Acts 15:2

We should cultivate the mindset:
~ How can I help those who are working for God?
~ How can I encourage them as they obey God?
~ How can I honor those who are serving?
~ How can I show respect for leadership?
~ How can I cooperate with them so God’s work is advanced?