“Be happy with the little that you have. There are people with nothing that still manage to smile.” ~ Unknown
One of the most popular games of the ages is the old game called “Keeping up with the Joneses.” In it, we compare our lives to those around us and if they get anything new, by golly, we have to do the same. We have seen it go to extremes. A neighbor might purchase a new car. There is absolutely nothing wrong with our car; but, we feel the need to purchase new as well in order to keep up. A family member or friend purchases a new home. We begin looking to upgrade our home as well.
Some of you are shaking your head in disbelief at this point in time and are saying to yourselves, “Never in a million years.” Okay. Forget the big stuff like homes or automobiles. How about the little stuff? Think about the times a purchase you made was motivated by the fact that family or friend made a similar purchase and you didn’t want to feel left out. Or, how about a vacation? Have you ever gone to a location for vacation simply because others had done it and you didn’t what to admit that you had never been there?
There is that little hitch in our humanity that leads us to be envious of others. We see what other people have and realize that we do not have it ourselves. Instead of being happy for them, we say, “I want that!” Whether or not we really need it, we find ourselves wanting it.
When we get to the point of being envious, we block out the things that we should be doing, the cares and concerns that should embody our lives as Christians. Instead, we allow the world to dictate to us our wants and needs, our dreams and desires.
Don’t want what others have simply because they have them and you don’t. Instead, ask God to provide for you what you truly need. Having our needs met, in the long run, will be much more important than having our desires fulfilled.
FAITH ACTION: Be satisfied with what you have and do not be envious of those who have more.