It’s Not A Competition

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3) 
 
I remember in our old neighborhood, I had neighbors who wore me out because they constantly competed with each other. Overall, these were really good people with loving homes, beautiful families, and amazing educational backgrounds. But one of the things that I quietly lamented about the neighborhood was the way they constantly tried to out-do one another.  
 
One would buy a big screen TV and invite neighbors over to watch the game. Almost immediately, another neighbor would run out, buy an even bigger TV, and invite neighbors over for an even larger party.  One neighbor hung nice Christmas lights and the next neighbor would create a more lavish display. One neighbor would buy a Lexus and the next neighbor went out and bought a Jaguar, only for another neighbor to go and buy a Mercedes.  
 
Hanging out with them could be exhausting, a little crazy, and chaotic sometimes due to the competition. The silliness and pettiness of these exchanges reflects how jealousy can manifest itself in more harmful ways, causing us to act in a manner that is irrational, unwise, and injurious to our future. 
 
There is nothing wrong with having nice things. But as Christians, we cannot make worldly things an idol. We must set an example, as Jesus did, in putting the needs of others before ourselves. With so many people trying to compete with each other, we will surely stand out for Christ when we go against the grain and represent selflessness. And what better way to share the love of Jesus than that?