Beyond the Weekend

January 25 | Comparison

January 25, 2021

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Deuteronomy 5:21

Read: Deuteronomy 5:6-21
Listen: 
Deuteronomy 5

TODAY’S MESSAGE

In The School of Contentment, each new lesson builds on what we’ve already learned. We’ve seen that a God-based contentment is the foundation for the three habits of saving, giving and spending less. These habits help us find the financial freedom God desires for his children.

But contentment is always in danger of being lost because of comparison. Comparison is how we look at our things and experiences in relation to what our friends and neighbors have—and what we don’t. We scroll past their posts of a new car, amazing vacation or meals at the trendy restaurant. It makes us think, “Why them and not us?”

God knows this is a constant challenge for us. That’s why he placed the command to “not compare” as number ten in the Ten Commandments. “You shall not set your desire…” (Deuteronomy 5:21b). He knows how easy it is for our eyes to focus and our hearts to fixate on others’ things. We think, “He has IT. I don’t have IT. I am NOT OK.” Last week we talked about habits to manage the resources we have. This week we’ll look at managing the stuff we don’t have.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Thank God for what you already have. As you pray, thank him for the things he’s allowed you to own, your family and the skills and abilities he’s given—and the joy they bring to your life. Conclude your prayer with a request for help from God’s Spirit in your struggle against comparison.


NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN

Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.

Today’s reading is Matthew 16.

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