I remember my days in high school when I sported clothes that were far from name-brand, drove an ‘89 Escort, and never dated the most popular or prettiest girls in the school (no offense to any of the girls I dated). Did I ever feel envious of other guys? Sure. I wanted to wear Abercrombie, drive a Trans Am, and date a cheerleader. Did I survive without those things? Of course. Did I ever outgrow all feelings of envy toward others? Nope.

All in all, I have a pretty good life. I still do not wear the best brands of clothing (nor do I care at this point). I drive a ‘99 Bonneville (well, I did until it recently got water in the pistons). Did I ever get the cheerleader? No, I did not. Do I care that I never got the cheerleader? Not at all. In fact, I cannot imagine finding a better girl than the one I am currently dating. She’s got beauty, brains, and she compensates for my many flaws (in the words of Jerry Maguire, she completes me).

As I said, I still get envious at times but the subjects of my envy have changed throughout the years. For instance, I no longer pine for Jesse’s girl but I may see the happily married couple and think to myself, I’d really love to have that one day.

Envy is all a matter of perspective. I could always find things I don’t have and notice all the people who do have those things. Take the image of the dogs above. The large dog may be envious of the small because he has a tasty bone. Ironically, the small dog may be envious of the large dog because of his size. Both are envious because they are focusing on what others have and not what they themselves have. The grass is always greener on the other side, right?

So what if Jesse has the girl (and maybe the Trans Am and the looks and the trendy clothes and so on and so on)? Sure, you may like her. Sure, you may envision some incredible future together with Jesse’s girl. Does that mean it would actually work? Not necessarily. I have learned that sometimes it is better to assume the things I do not have are actually a blessing in disguise.

There’s been a time or two when I would have loved to win a million bucks in the lottery. I never did. I’m pretty sure I hurt my chances by not playing. Anyway, maybe the Lord realizes it would be better for me if I never win the million. I may think I’d be fine with that much money and that I’d even do a lot of good with it. But would I? Maybe I would actually buy all kinds of extravagant things, never pay the taxes, and be bankrupt and living on the street in a year or two. Who knows?

Let’s face it. We could all find plenty of things to be envious about. If I won the million and was dating Jesse’s girl and drove the Trans Am and wore Hollister clothing and was really good looking, I’d probably be envious of the guy with 2 million and dating Jesse’s girl’s older sister and drives a Ferrari and wears Versace (do they make men’s clothing?) and is really really good looking.

Have you ever read the book of Ecclesiastes? Ol’ King Solomon had it all. He had fine wines, houses that took thousands of men many years to build, entertainment at the snap of a finger and lots and lots of money. What did he think of it? To quote him, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” In other words, “Boring!”

Envy serves no purpose. Most times, envy does nothing but make you feel bad. Even if you get what you are longing for, you may find it’s not that great once you get it. Instead, Paul said, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Paul found himself in some pretty lousy states. He spent quite a bit of time in prison even. Was he content there? You bet. Acts 16 says, “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God.” Wait, what? They sang praises? After being beat and cast into prison?

Do you think Paul was super-human? I don’t think so. He just knew what was important and that’s what he focused on.

Here are some simple points to remember:

1. Envy only hurts the envious.
2. The grass is greener on the other side and the other side and the other side and the other side…
3. Most of the objects of our envy will never bring us happiness or contentment even if we got them.

Oh, one more thing. To quote Joe Dirt, “Alls I got to do is keep bein’ a good person. No matter what, good things’ll come my way.” Hang in there. So you want Jesse’s girl? Forget Jesse’s girl. Wait on the Lord’s good timing. The one for you may be right around the corner.