The Grass is Greener

Do you remember the tenth of the Ten Commandments? It troubles me.

Whatever Bible translation you use, it can be summed up like thie: Do not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. Now, we've already been told in number eight not to steal, so this tells us not to even want your neighbor's stuff.

Doesn't that kind of kill your drive to get ahead? God has given us all certain skills and aptitudes, and it's only right to want to do all you can with what you've got. So why is it wrong to look around me and say, "I wish I had more of that. I wish I had what they have."

Okay, okay, I understand that you have to come to a point of satisfaction. You can't keep pushing for more, or the stress and strain will kill you. But you've got to want to do better every day.

Not long ago, a friend explained this guideline from God to me. He said there is nothing wrong with trying to be your best, and wanting to maximize your abilities. However, it's wrong to want your neighbor's stuff--- work for your own! In other words, the grass may be greener on the other side of the path, over there in your neighbor's yard, but that's greener grass that he has earned. Leave it alone. There is other green grass, so go out and earn it.

What God had done for others, He can do for you.