Definition: To begrudge is to envy or resent the good fortune or success of another, or to give or allow reluctantly. It involves a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, possessions, or achievements.

Biblical Context: Begrudging is often associated with envy and jealousy, which are attitudes condemned in Scripture. These attitudes can lead to strife, division, and a lack of love among individuals and communities. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of contentment and generosity, opposing the begrudging spirit.

Old Testament References:

1. Cain and Abel: The account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-16 illustrates the destructive nature of begrudging. Cain begrudged Abel because God favored Abel's offering over his own. This envy led to anger and ultimately to murder. God warned Cain, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7).

2. Saul and David: King Saul's begrudging attitude towards David is another example. After David's victory over Goliath and his subsequent popularity, Saul became envious and sought to kill David (1 Samuel 18:6-9). Saul's begrudging spirit led to his downfall and loss of God's favor.

New Testament References:

1. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard: In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard, where those who worked all day begrudged the landowner's generosity towards those who worked only an hour. The landowner responds, "Am I not allowed to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?" (Matthew 20:15). This parable teaches about God's grace and the danger of begrudging His generosity to others.

2. The Prodigal Son's Older Brother: In Luke 15:11-32, the older brother begrudges the father's celebration of the prodigal son's return. His resentment reveals a lack of understanding of the father's love and grace. The father gently reminds him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours" (Luke 15:31).

Theological Implications:

Begrudging is contrary to the Christian virtues of love, joy, and peace. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's will and purposes. The Bible calls believers to "rejoice with those who rejoice" (Romans 12:15) and to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Begrudging undermines community and fellowship, which are central to the Christian life.

Practical Application:

Christians are encouraged to examine their hearts for any traces of begrudging and to seek God's help in cultivating a spirit of gratitude and contentment. Prayer, meditation on Scripture, and the practice of generosity can help believers overcome the temptation to begrudge others. By focusing on God's abundant blessings and His sovereign will, Christians can learn to trust in His provision and timing, freeing themselves from the bondage of envy and resentment.(v. t.) To envy the possession of; as to begrudge a man of his home; to grudge

Imperial Caesar
... "Last night you wasted hours to spite me. To-day you begrudge me a moment's
talk with a lovely wayfarer. Or is it because she prefers me? ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter vii imperial caesar.htm

On the First and Second Commandments of the Church
... you did not hear in the first. You should not, however, begrudge a little
extra time to God. To hear Mass properly, you should be ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 35 on the first.htm

The Third Chapter: Listen Humbly to the Words of God. Many do not ...
... an unchanging good, for a reward beyond estimate, for the greatest honor and for
glory everlasting, it must be said to their shame that men begrudge even the ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the third chapter listen humbly.htm

The Craft of the Pelagians.
... the little snares of the Manicheans, in order that they may entangle them in their
own nets"that is, that they may deny original sin; may begrudge to infants ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 19 the craft of the.htm

First Impressions
... faithfulness. "The bees," said Basil, "fly in swarms, and do not begrudge each
other the flowers. It is not so with us. We are not at unity. ...
/.../chapter xx first impressions.htm

To the Romans
... me. Now is the moment I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing seen
or unseen begrudge me making my way to Jesus Christ. Come ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/to the romans.htm

Civ. Jesus Arrives and is Feasted at Bethany.
... She sympathizes with me as I approach the shadow of death, and anoints me beforehand
for the burial. You do not begrudge what is given to the dead. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/civ jesus arrives and is.htm

To Cledonius the Priest against Apollinarius. (Ep. Ci. )
... Let them not, then, begrudge us our complete salvation, or clothe the Saviour
only with bones and nerves and the portraiture of humanity. ...
/.../select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/to cledonius the priest against.htm

From the Second to the Fourth Commandment
... Some begrudge God even the half-hour they are obliged to give to Mass on Sundays:
they stand near the door, ready to be the first out, and perhaps were the ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 32 from the second.htm

Sunday Before Lent
... or honor. Haughty teachers, however, are envious and unkind. They begrudge
everyone else both honor and possessions. Though with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday before lent.htm

Begrudge (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To envy the possession of; as to begrudge a man of
his home; to grudge. Multi-Version Concordance Begrudge (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/begrudge.htm - 7k

Grudge (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To look upon with desire to possess or to appropriate; to envy (one) the
possession of; to begrudge; to covet; to give with reluctance; to desire to ...
/g/grudge.htm - 13k

Envy (56 Occurrences)
... or repining, with a longing to possess (some excellence or good fortune of another,
or an equal good fortune, etc.); to look with grudging upon; to begrudge. ...
/e/envy.htm - 28k

Begs (3 Occurrences)

/b/begs.htm - 7k

Begotten (77 Occurrences)

/b/begotten.htm - 33k

Begrudge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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