Stephen stood out from his peers. He was selected to oversee the burgeoning and emerging Church because he was of a honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wise beyond his years. Stephen was full of faith and power. He wrought miracles left, right and center. You will think the people would be proud of Him. You will think they would celebrate his success. Many did, but many more connived against him. They lied on his behalf and coalesced a mob to kill him. The Bible says Stephens face shone like an angel. He was steadfast, not willing to sellout even if it cost his life, and it did. He was the good guy who didn’t win in the natural – but won big time in the supernatural.
I’ve seen bad things happen to good people. I’ve seen good people loose their jobs while not-so-good people keep theirs. I have seen wicked people prosper while righteous people suffer. It is true that the good guy does not always win in the natural but there is nothing to be ashamed of about being good. There is nothing to be envious about those not playing by the rules. You live here in the temporal but this is not all there is, otherwise you will be of all men, most miserable. You know there is so much more than this world has to offer, and that is why you keep doing good. Even when its inconvenient, even when the odds are staked against you, you keep being good! And for that, Jesus Christ applauds you.
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out .- Proverbs 24:19