CHAPTER 40: THE PRICE OF PETTINESS 2023
Petty is the most expensive item on the list, second only to revenge. And yet we employ it regularly and seem to feel that the cost is justified.
“Putting little things above all the big things that matter.”
Petty is small minded, immature, foolish and lacks all the things that are great — petty is the opposite of honorable. Petty removes me from good behavior. Titus 3:9 warns us to “avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”
In 2 Timothy 2:14, Paul instructs Timothy to “keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” Pettiness is a divider. It creates unnecessary walls and rifts between people. Many places in Scripture instruct believers to set aside differences in order to work together for the sake of the gospel.
2 Timothy 2:23-26
New International Version (NIV)
23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
What happens when people don’t listen? What happens when petty is getting the best of it. I have absolutely unloaded on people when stupid was about to destroy their path. Did it help? Once in awhile, but for the most part people fight for their right to be stupid and they go down hard for petty. I’ve often said, “you’d rather me yell at you than let you jump off the cliff, right?” “Wouldn’t you rather me drag you back from the great abyss of your own incorrect behavior or let you fall?” The bible says to argue with a fool is absurd, but in an even harsher tone, Matthew is brutal.
Matthew 7:6
New International Version
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
I struggle with that scripture. After many years of rebuilding businesses, when is it time…, to let somebody go? In my position when people push back against common sense, it is fatal in the long run, a great loss financially, spiritually, mentally and even physically. After failure is imminent, and people see the truth of what they’ve done, it is a very sad realization.
1 Corinthians 6:2
King James Version
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Pettiness hurts people, good and bad for the sake of being in control, right or wrong, good or bad doesn’t matter, just win, even if all is lost. The key phrase I have found is “fiduciary duty.” When I have power, use it for good. When I am petty, stop it or I will lose my position.
When others are being petty, remove them from the situation. You are in charge, be in charge and keep order and honor. Petty is absolutely unteachable.
2 Timothy 2:16
New Living Translation
16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
Recover, apologize immediately. There is serious consequences for leaving relationships in disrespect. What are the consequences?
What “is” my destiny could and will simply drift away..
In it’s worst form, petty is pre-meditated, planned, a violation of the rules, a quiet, sinister design of disingenous arrogance and self importance.
Psalm 36:3
New International Version (NIV)
3 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good.
Walk away from Pettiness, lest it consume you. Rather be what God intended you to be. Be in the spirit of God .., be a leader.
I’m not exactly a fan of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, but he did have a quote I like.. and I’m going to use it today found in one of his books. “Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for All and None”. This is a philosophical novel composed and published in four parts written between 1883 and 1885. In it I discovered a perfect quote on pettiness spoken by the main character Zarathustra:
“But like infection is the petty thought: it creeps and hides, and wants to be nowhere–until the whole body is decayed and withered by the petty infection… Thus spoke Zarathustra.”
Giving yourself a self-righteous attitude, co-signing your own bad behavior and then the dominos fall, and they do. In the mind set of pettiness you won’t care. In the long run, I promise — you will care.
What gets in the way of petty? Learning. Teaching. Sharing. Pettiness has a hard time surviving in the face of these words. Do you know why? Because these are the words of achievement. People who achieve don’t have time for petty people. They simply discard them.
Definition of Pettiness – Undue concern with trivial matters,
especially of a small-minded or spiteful nature.
Envy, comparison, jealous, self-righteous, pompous, and
as stated — stupid and costly.
Chapter 40: What is The Price of Pettiness: LOSING.
James 3:16
New King James Version
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
At the top of this lesson, I mentioned the worst most costly item on the menu. Revenge. Petty is the doorway to revenge and revenge is the end of all good things, whether it be cash, spiritual, emotional or one’s physical/mental health.
“You see, revenge hate is so pure that it will, given the opportunity, destroy the other person, even if it means both parties are ruined..”, Patrick
Fortunately most of us simply walk away from those who practice petty and revenge. Pray for people who are lonely, disgruntled, dangerous and petty, they are poison to any relationship. If you are fighting this dragon yourself, pray now, that the Lord release you from such madness and get things back in order immediately. In His mercy and grace interrupt and dismantle pettiness. It is created from jealousy, resentment and destructiveness. Replace this madness with God. May we all find Him now…
Amen..
