[VIDEO] I Want What They Have

Last updated on: June 26, 2014 at 2:11 pm by Dan King

[VIDEO] I Want What They Have 2014-06-26T14:11:11-06:00 Dan King

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Jealousy. Envy. Coveteousness. Call it what you want. It’s rooted in a lack of satisfaction with what you already have, and/or a resentment for what others have. Perceived scarcity driven by comparrison can eat you up inside, and drive negative feelings and behavior.

I’ve been there. Constantly chasing what other people have. And it’s a cycle that never ends.

Two key ideas stand out to me:

1) Go for it if you want it, just don’t complain

You don’t know what others had to do to get what they have. So drop the sense of entitlement, and put in whatever effort is necessary to reach your goals. I love how Howard Butt, Jr. advises us in this video to watch, learn, and sharpen our own game if want to achieve something. Those other people who you’re envious of, take them to lunch sometime and ask them about how they work, and glean whatever you can to help you perform at a higher level.

2) Don’t overlook your current blessings

Moses writes, “No lusting after your neighbor’s house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17, MSG). He doesn’t say why, but he does list this one in the Big Ten. I’ll venture to say that if I’m constantly looking elsewhere and comparing, then I’ll miss out on the incredible blessing that’s right in front of me.

Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
well-done work has its own reward.

— Proverbs 12:14 (MSG)

Rethinking Scarcity

We all know the pinch of limited resources. Whether it’s a crunch for time, a shrinking bank account, or a competitive workplace, we often experience life dissatisfied and craving more. At The High Calling, we are Rethinking Scarcity, attempting to understand how both real and perceived scarcity influences our thoughts and behaviors. We also will explore scarcity’s influence in our decisions and how reimagining constraints not only changes the way we respond to our circumstances, but ultimately may change our circumstances themselves.

Previous Post

June 23, 2014

There Is Always Enough

Next Post

June 30, 2014 The Key to a Great Vacation

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Current Events Interviews Reflections Uncategorized Video Posts Vocation Work Practices

Select a Month August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 December 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

A Samaritan stopped to help a wounded man after a priest and a Levite passed by. Where was the man traveling from and to?

Select your answer to see how you score.

From Jerusalem to Jericho From Bethany to Jerusalem From Samaria to Nazareth From Galilee to Judea