One of my favorite quotes in teaching about money and possessions is, “Comparison destroys contentment.” In our modern American culture, comparison involves looking at what we have, comparing it to others who have more stuff or better stuff and becoming discontent with what we have. I have seen it in others … I have seen it in myself.
Last week, Debbie and I were confronted with comparison that did the opposite … it dramatically enhanced our contentment. We participated in a 3 day mission trip to Juarez, Mexico to build two houses for two families without homes. In this case, comparison alters your life.
We have cheap, plentiful water available at the twist of a facet … our new friends in Juarez paid for a bucket of semi-clean water delivered by the water truck in its daily trek through the dusty streets of Juarez.
We can’t decide which pair of shoes to wear to school … the 8-year-old boy who’s family we built a house for was not in school since he did not have shoes to wear.
We justify our need to upgrade to a sleep number bed … the pregnant mother of the family we were helping was sleeping on the cement floor.
We get frustrated over having to lug containers of baby formula from Costco … families in rural Juarez are scrapping off the foam from the top of beans while they are cooking to feed their babies.
For those of us on the build team, a little comparison was exactly what we needed to reorient our hearts and increase our contentment … and our thankfulness.
If you ever get a chance to be part of a team to do even a small part in helping those in need … do it! It will change you.
You want to be effective in introducing people to the reality of Christ? Then show them His love before you explain it to them.
The ministry we partnered with was Missions Ministry based in Denver and working in the rural sections of Juarez. For $16,600 in donated funds we were able to build a three room home for two families in less than two days. You cannot imagine the thill of watching the keys to a new house being handed over to a young family that 48 hours earlier had no place to call home.
In this case … Comparison most definately enhances contentment …
