Daily Devotional
Grateful When Others Are Blessed

November 24, 2016

Do you know the problem many of us have? It’s not wanting more, it’s wanting more than somebody else. We’re grateful for our home—until we see somebody else’s. We’re grateful for our car—until we take a ride in somebody else’s new car. We’re grateful for our job—until we learn about somebody else’s.

We need to celebrate God’s grace and goodness for somebody else. Exodus 20:17 says, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.” The word “coveting” means “to desire enviously that which belongs to another.” The discontent which arises when we begin the comparison game is typically rooted in the sin of coveteousness....and pride.

Are you having a difficult time rejoicing when others are able to have children and you cannot? When others get married and you’re single? When you live in an apartment and others can buy a home? Oh, that you knew the love of God for you! Romans 8:28-39 is true for you, just as it is for the other person.

Thank God that He has blessed them, if He has. We need to love others sincerely and rejoice with what God has already given us in Christ—without getting involved in the comparison game! Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Somebody else’s blessing is not your loss.