This is from a devotional I have, written by Robert Noland:

“One of the ongoing struggles with our sin nature is two-fold: First, we have a tendency to eventually become dissatisfied with the blessings God gives us, and second, we then start to see what others have and convince ourselves we want theirs instead of ours. A saying has been ingrained in our culture for decades: “Keeping up with the Joneses.” The “Joneses,” being the fictitious family who has everything we don’t have, becomes our standard for living.

What was once our dream home can start to look second-rate to us compared to those in the newest neighborhood or the house your buddy just bought. The car we were once so excited to get to drive can become one we can’t wait to trade in for the latest model. The smart phone that was the ultimate device less than a year ago seems obsolete as we watch the commercials for the new release. The “keep-up” list just goes on and keeps growing.

For decades, marketing and advertising has played off of this constant desire for more and better. And obviously, because companies spend millions each year on ads, the subtle manipulation works. From luxury cars to lavish vacations, from food to fashion, on TV, online, billboards, and in magazines, the parade never stops of the latest, greatest, smarter, and faster things we can’t live without.

But looking on the other side of this dynamic, someone somewhere would love to have your job. Your house. Your car. Your talent or skill. Your whatever. If you reside in the Western culture, living standards are far above those in the rest of the world. But there’s even a likelihood that someone you know might be envious of something in your life.

As Christians, we understand that wanting for ourselves what God has given someone else is a sin called coveting, a subject well covered in the Ten Commandments and also greatly explained in the Law. God wants us to avoid this practice because it is both selfish and ungrateful at the same time.

So what if we could consistently take the focus off what we want that we don’t have – and even accept that we may never get – to look only on our own blessings? To stop our desire for instant gratification and simply be grateful for our own journey that God has entrusted us to walk?

Fighting against our nature and winning can only come about by keeping our eyes on Christ, not on what anyone else has or even what we have. The psalmist offered an amazing prayer in Psalm 119:37: “Turn my eyes from worthless things.” Because the world is constantly screaming its opinions at us, we must allow the Lord to determine what has value for our lives and what is worthless.” The way we can successfully steer clear of God’s “do-nots” is to stop being concerned with any perceived lack in our lives and, as basic as it may sound, trust God to give us what He knows we need.”

“For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9)

“Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

Focus only on being grateful for what you already have and what God brings into your life.

In Christian Brotherhood,
James Bozeman
Texas Division Chaplain