Thankful Till We Look Elsewhere

I've noticed gratefulness is often skewed by observation. We are thankful with what we have till we see what someone else has. The workers in the vineyard loved their pay till they saw someone else getting get the same amount but for less time served. Then it wasn’t enough. The older brother was happy living with his father until the prodigal came home to a party and then he felt as if he had been mistreated. He wanted his own party. It seems often we are happy with our portion till another gets more, then we grumble and complain.

In Galatians 6 4 we read, “But
each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.” This passage in its context is telling us to not judge our work by someone else’s. No matter how good or bad they do, it should not change our actions. I think this principle should also apply to our gratefulness.

Be thankful for what you have been given. Be content with what God sends you. Your blessings are not another’s and another’s blessing shouldn’t warp the view of what you have.

Thankfulness should have us looking up not around.

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Ecclesiastes 12:10

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