Comparison In Living!

Life is filled with varied circumstances, some of which are BETTER THAN others. As comparisons are being made to help maintain a perspective for living, it is often good to focus on how it is BETTER to be in one situation THAN to be in another. In the book of Proverbs we find a number of BETTER/THAN statements used to provide a wise sense of comparison. One of those is as follows.

We read. . .
"BETTER TO BE LOWLY and have a servant THAN TO PLAY the great man and lack bread." ( Proverbs 12:9)

The New Living Translation reads. . .
"It is BETTER TO BE A NOBODY with a servant THAN TO BE SELF-IMPORTANT but have no food." (NLT)

One trying to put on a front may ultimately do themselves more harm. Simply pretending does not add anything of substance to life. There are those who dig for themselves a pit of debt in an effort to maintain appearances. In such an attempt to keep up with the proverbial Joneses, it has been properly noted how foolishly many "Spend money they don't have to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't like." Who are we trying to impress with our life and for what reason and at what cost?

Watching video recently of people running over other people and causing injury (even seeing on the news the report of one store employee being trampled to death) just to get into a store to save a few dollars on "stuff" reveals how out of focus many have become of life and what is of true value. The "stuff" does not make the person, but may actually become a serious distraction from true living and high position in the eyes of God.

We have the wise warning of Jesus where we read. . .
"And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for ONE'S LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN THE ABUNDANCE OF HIS POSSESSIONS.'" ( Luke 12:15 ESV)

There is peace and wisdom in learning contentment with what we have and what we are able to do with it. With extravagance often comes the burden of many anxieties. (note 1 Timothy 6:10) Therefore, let us be careful what we value most. We may not appear to be much in the eyes of the world, while in a real sense be a richer person (in faith, godliness, peace, etc.) than those who have become well known among their peers. These in actuality may be living in emotional and spiritual bankruptcy.

Paul urged. . .
"DO NOTHING FROM RIVALRY OR CONCEIT, BUT IN HUMILITY count others more significant than yourselves." ( Philippians 2:3 ESV)

It is BETTER to retain humility and live a humble life that seeks to serve to help others in whatever manner possible THAN to use up life's energy to merely put on a show. If it takes "stuff" to impress others, are they really worth impressing? God is interested in our life and what we do with it. May we seek to impress Him with our gratitude through the manner in which we choose to use all of that with which He has blessed us.

Have a great day EXEMPLIFYING THAT OF WHICH TRUE LIVING CONSISTS!
Carl

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