Envy, or jealousy, is much like greed. Envy however, is a sin directed toward another. Rather than the excessive pursuit of wealth or other worldly goods, as in avarice, envy is the desire for something that someone else has.

That something doesn’t have to be a material object, it can be jealousy of a job, a spouse, athletic ability, or social standing. The envious person actually feels sorrow because he or she perceives some sort of loss or failure because of another person’s success.

Envy is a grievous sin because it is completely counter to the necessary Christian virtues of charity and kindness. It’s impossible to behave with the greatest of love toward God and our neighbor, if we are suffering with a longing for something that they have. We should instead give thanks to the Lord for all of the gifts that we have, and be happy for the success of others.

If someone has something that we desire, something truly worth having, such as an exceedingly good character attribute, then it may be wise to desire the same for ourselves. There is nothing wrong with emulating the behavior of others — such as the Saints, or some other holy and righteous person — if it is for the virtuous desire to become more holy ourselves. But this is not envy. Emulation of someone holy is just good sense. Envy is toxic to our souls.