Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 6:4–5 (NLT)
I love reading blogs. It has been a wonderful source of encouragement and inspiration for me to read the blogs of other pastors and church planters. I have to admit, though, that sometimes reading other blogs can get me a little down. I hear about success after success of others and even though I fight the temptation I find myself comparing what I’m doing with what others are doing. This is dangerous.
The truth is that you really can’t win the comparison game. You either perceive yourself as doing better than others and you slip into pride or you think you’re doing worse than others and you get down. Both are problems and extremely counterproductive. What’s really weird about it is that you could actually be doing quite well and still get down because there will always be somebody out there that is doing better than you. Comparison is a vicious trap.
The Lord has really been speaking to me a lot lately about the parable of the talents. Every time I turn around that parable is in my face. I think one of the main lessons of that story is that, at the end of the day, I’m only responsible for what I’ve done with what I’ve been given to work with. I might not be a 5 talent kind of guy. I might just be a 2 talent guy or a 1 talent guy but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I take the talents I have and I employ them for the Lord. The goal is not to have the most talents. The goal is the take everything I have and put it into play for the Lord.
So, my fellow blog readers, read on. Rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep but REFUSE to compare yourself to others. Pay careful attention to your OWN work. And, when you’ve done your best, enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
well said Tony! Thanks for the encouragement. I just read that story yesterday, and boom…it just jumped out at me. I am going to have spend more time in that parable. Comparing sucks! So why do i spend so much time doing it? Sometimes I know exactly what Paul was talking about when he said he does things he does not want to do and does not do things he wants to do.
well said Tony! Thanks for the encouragement. I just read that story yesterday, and boom…it just jumped out at me. I am going to have spend more time in that parable. Comparing sucks! So why do i spend so much time doing it? Sometimes I know exactly what Paul was talking about when he said he does things he does not want to do and does not do things he wants to do.
Wow, keep taking whatever it is you’re drinking Tony – it’s working. Great insight. Thanks!
Wow, keep taking whatever it is you’re drinking Tony – it’s working. Great insight. Thanks!
hey tony,
thanks for this…i have been doing this a lot lately. and i won’t even start with the talent burying issue…:)
i often think of you in your field o’ labor and it encourages and inspires me. sharpens me, rather!
blessings, holly
hey tony,
thanks for this…i have been doing this a lot lately. and i won’t even start with the talent burying issue…:)
i often think of you in your field o’ labor and it encourages and inspires me. sharpens me, rather!
blessings, holly
This is good stuff, T. Thanks for posting it.
This is good stuff, T. Thanks for posting it.
Great post! I wish I was as good at not comparing myself to others as Tony.
Great post! I wish I was as good at not comparing myself to others as Tony.
What a good reminder, Tony. I trust that everyone struggles with this, including (possibly especially) stay at home mothers. We frequently compare notes on child development, house keeping, weight loss, shopping bargains, etc. and it is difficult to not fall into the trap of then comparing ourselves in those areas. Thanks for sharing that scripture and your observation.
What a good reminder, Tony. I trust that everyone struggles with this, including (possibly especially) stay at home mothers. We frequently compare notes on child development, house keeping, weight loss, shopping bargains, etc. and it is difficult to not fall into the trap of then comparing ourselves in those areas. Thanks for sharing that scripture and your observation.
Gracias Tony!
Great Blog!
Gracias Tony!
Great Blog!