When Jesus lived on earth during the first century, money created a huge divide. A person with money could afford to pay someone else to do the hard stuff. A person who was not wealthy had nothing. Almost literally. Much like in developing countries today, people didn’t know where tomorrow’s food was coming from or how to pay their taxes. Not paying your bills didn’t increase the interest; instead, you sold yourself into slavery so your new master would pay your debts. These were the people Jesus was speaking to as he sat on the side of a mountain and delivered what we call today the Sermon on the Mount.
As we think this week about how to overcome a comparison mindset, these words will be our touchstone, the words we come back to again and again. Whether you compare yourself to your coworkers, who seem to be promoted while you still struggle to be noticed; or you compare yourself to the pretty people on social media who seem to have it all (and have it all together); or you compare yourself to people who have reached all the milestones of family, career, and success that you wanted and planned for yourself – no matter what comparison mindset you struggle with, the answer is here, in the words of Jesus:
“Seek first the kingdom of God.”
As we read through this week, we’ll see several people who start out with a mindset that compares what they have to the people around them but who end with a mind and heart focused on God. And that makes all the difference.
Prayer: Dear God, you have given me so much. I still struggle sometimes with finances and relationships and disappointments and health issues, but you are faithful. Help me to keep my mind focused on you. Amen.