Good post! It’s a real issue this. I know covetousness affects all in different ways. When you’ve been to a competitive school then university then into a competitive career you (I) just accept the world of it and always compare myself to those who’ve risen to the top quicker, got the “best” jobs etc. The comparison is never with those who have more obviously had problems and suffered in life.

Part of it, is that the surface success we envy, hides much of the internal heartache which goes with rapid success and when we as Christians stop and consider the issue, the answer is that we compare ourselves to those with obvious success because that’s what we really feel would properly define us. We can often mask this with the opinions such as “Well, if I have a promoted/more important role then I will be of greater influence for the Lord”. Maybe a true test of our hearts is, “Well, if the Lord has given me this additional role I won’t need any extra pay to do it in gratitude for the responsibility he has kindly given me”!

I’ve worked for 25 years this year and it is a milestone which tends to make me stop and think. Inevitably all the above thoughts of comparison spring to mind and those I’ve compared myself to have always tended to be more successful as I’ve illustrated above. I got to the level in my field I’d hoped to at 30, when I was 39. Even then, with a slightly better sense of perspective, I’d not done badly, but the other day I found a (very rare) diary note from 6 months after promotion which was written when ill due to being burnt out, I’d noted what a hollow victory it felt it was. It was an important reminder to me looking back on what I consider(ed) to be the best time of my career!

So what’s the answer? Well, we all need to seek contentedness as your blog points us towards. Maybe the best way in church community is we keep encouraging each other, in whatever fields/jobs we’re in where true contentedness lies and to remind ourselves where our true treasure lies. So one example is that it’s good for guys in their mid 30′s in rising levels in professions to hang out a bit, watch some sport or have a drink and discuss what’s going on in our hearts and to challenge each other. It may stop us in our tracks a bit, but we’ll see the fruits of it later on in life.

Whilst covetousness affects evryone in different ways it’s a spiritual cancer to those who’ve grown up in a similar background to me and one of the issues underlying the problem is the constant question “have I got/will I have enough?”. Maybe again it’s to be open to someone or to find a wise financial advisor who can say “actually, you’re doing OK – have you thought that you could give to this/that and support this venture?”.

Your blog hit a note with me!