Hey, podcast listeners! Thanks for streaming today's podcast, From Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory is a nonprofit ministry featuring the Bible teaching of Dr. Robert Jeffress. Our mission is to pierce the darkness with the light of God's word through the most effective media available, like this podcast.
To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org slash donate or follow the link in our show notes. Now, here's today's podcast, From Pathway to Victory. Today, we're going to talk about the attitude choice that perhaps more than any other determines your level of happiness in life. It's choosing contentment over comparison.
Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress. What do people want more than anything else in this world? Money? Health? Comfort? Well, all of those things are just a means to achieve happiness, right?
Well, a lot of people think so. Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffress teaches that with God's help, we can learn to be content with the unchangeable circumstances that shape our destiny. Now, here's our Bible teacher to introduce today's message.
Dr. Jeffress, Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory. It's the middle of summer and the heart of vacation season, but it's not too soon to book your vacation for next year. Pathway to Victory is thrilled to be hosting a Journeys of Paul Mediterranean cruise on May 5th through 16th, 2025. We'll be tracing the path of the New Testament and visiting iconic sites at Ephesus, Rome, and Greece. This is a life-changing vacation with a purpose. I guarantee you will expand your understanding of the Bible and return home refreshed and relaxed as well. The dates are May 5th through 16th.
Please take a look at the amazing itinerary and reserve your spot by going to ptv.org. And then before we begin today's message, remember that I've written a practical book that parallels our current study. Like my teaching series, my book is also called Choose Your Attitudes Change Your Life.
And I'm prepared to send you a copy today. Look, it's nearly impossible to get through one day without comparing our status to those around us. The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, and many of us spend far too much time daydreaming about someone else's perfect life, hoping that someday we'll enjoy the same.
You see, jealousy is a recipe for disaster. Over comparison, plus 10 other very common barriers to experiencing God's transformation in our lives. Let me send you a copy of my book right now.
It's yours when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory. Again, the book is called Choose Your Attitudes Change Your Life. Over comparison.
Years ago, I learned about the futility of comparing yourself to other people from a most unlikely source. Let's make a deal with Monty Hall. How many of you remember Let's Make a Deal?
I know I'm dating myself. And we thought, you know, it might be fun to try to get on that game show. And so the next morning, we got up early, and we drove to a local costume shop in downtown Los Angeles, because they would only pick people in outlandish costumes.
And so we each rented a costume, and I saw the perfect costume, a giant banana. And we got to the studio in Hollywood, and there were hundreds of people in the parking lot trying to get one of the 50 spots on the trading floor to actually be on the show. And to our amazement and pleasure, we were actually chosen to be on the trading floor, those 50 people from whom Monty Hall would select a few people.
We thought, this is great. And if that were not enough, finally the show started, and Monty Hall came down the aisle toward me, and he said, my first deal of the day is for Robert Jeffress. And so we traded, and I won $350.
After the show, we went to the little room where we were filling out these release forms. And I was seated next to a woman, and she had won a piano, but traded it away for something else. And I began to think, you know, if only I had been in her seat on the trading floor, I could have won that piano. We really would have liked a new piano.
So I'm kind of lamenting about that. And finally, the woman who won the big showcase, the big deal of the day, she was complaining that the furniture didn't match the decor of her living room. And above all of this moaning and lamenting there, one woman said, you know what, I wasn't even expecting to win anything.
I'm just glad I got on the show. And I immediately thought of that comment of Benjamin Franklin. He said, who is it that is truly rich? He who is content. And who is that?
No one. Today, we're going to talk about the attitude choice that perhaps more than any other determines your level of happiness in life. It's choosing contentment over comparison. Nothing will rob you of joy in life anymore than comparing yourself to other people.
And yet we do it all the time, don't we? We compare ourselves to other people. Now, when I talk about comparing yourself with other people, I'm not talking about noticing that people have more different than you have.
I mean, obviously, that's true. There are people with bigger homes, larger salaries, finer automobiles than we have. I'm not talking about noticing that, nor am I talking about trying to quench that desire, a God-given desire that we all have to excel in life.
You know, we're going to talk in future weeks about the attitude choice of choosing productivity in life over laziness. But here's what I'm talking about when I talk about comparison. Comparison, write this down, is an attitude of dissatisfaction with God's provisions for my life that leads to an obsession with having more.
Let me say it again. Comparison is an attitude of dissatisfaction with God's provisions for my life that leads to an obsession with having more. In the Old Testament, the word for comparison was covetousness, covetousness. And it's interesting that the climactic command of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 is not thou shall not commit murder or adultery or lie. You know what the climax of the Ten Commandments is? Thou shalt not covet. You know why that's the final climactic commandment? Because every other sin flows out of that sin.
Micah the prophet understood that in Micah 2 verses 1 and 2. Listen to this. Woe to those who scheme iniquity, who work out evil on their beds. When morning comes, they do it, for it is in the power of their hands.
Now look at this. They covet fields, and then they seize them, and houses, and take them away. They rob a man of his house and a man of his inheritance. In other words, stealing, murdering other people comes out of covetousness. Coveting what somebody else has is the basis of all sin. In fact, did you know it was covetousness, this dissatisfaction with what God has provided that was the very basis for the first sin committed in the universe? You know what the first sin was that was committed in the universe? It's recounted in Isaiah chapter 14.
Turn there for just a moment to Isaiah 14 verses 13 and 14. It's the story of the fall of Lucifer. Remember, Lucifer was a part of God's highest angelic order. God had given him vast responsibilities over creation. He was God's number two guy in the universe. But one day, Lucifer decided he wasn't content with being number two.
He wanted to be number one. He started looking at God and the respect and reverence that he had from the angels. He started looking at that throne upon which God sat, and he said, I could do that.
I want what he has. And because of that, God cast him out of heaven, and he became Satan. In fact, in verses 13 and 14, you find God's condemnation of Lucifer. Verse 13, but you, Satan, said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven. I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.
I will make myself like the Most High. After God cast Satan down to earth, it is no accident that Satan chose to use as his basis for tempting the first couple that dissatisfaction that had formed in his own heart with God's provision. That's how he lured Adam and Eve into temptation. Remember, God said to the first couple, I've created this beautiful garden, and of any tree you can eat except one. And what did Satan do when he talked to Eve, Genesis chapter 3? Instead of reminding Eve of all of God's provisions, he instead pointed her attention to one prohibition. God said, do not eat of this tree. He does the same thing in our life. Satan wants to distract us from thinking and thanking God for all of the provisions he's given us into the things that are forbidden.
He did that with Eve, and he said in Genesis 3, 5, the reason God doesn't want you to eat of that tree, for he knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Covetousness, a dissatisfaction with what God has already provided us. And you look in human history, it is that desire for more or different that leads to all sin and rebellion against God, and it produces continual chaos in our lives. For example, it was Lot's desire for a more productive land that caused him and his family to settle in the city of Sodom that brought disaster for his family. It was Jacob's desire for more inheritance that caused him to cheat his brother Esau. It was Joseph's brother's desire for more attention from their father that caused them to sell Joseph into slavery.
It was Moses' desire for a more quick end to their slavery in Egypt that caused Moses to lose his temper and kill the Egyptian soldier. It was David's desire for a more thrilling sex life that caused him to fall into sin with Bathsheba. And it was Solomon's desire for more pleasure and power in life that caused him to turn his heart away from God. You see, that's the lie of Satan. He baits us into following after that which God has said no to.
The Bible says in John 8 44, Satan is a liar, he is the father of all lies. Let me share with you two myths that we often buy into that fuel our desire for more. Myth number one, I can have it all.
That's particularly popular in our American culture. Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. That is, if you work hard enough, there is absolutely no limit to what you can achieve. You can have it all.
No, you really can't. The fact is, there will always be somebody who has more than you have. It just will. Myth number two that fuels our dissatisfaction, I could be happy if only I had blank. I could be really happy if only I had blank. There's something out there that could fill the hole in my heart. Some people fill in that blank with a different job, a bigger house, more time off on a vacation, perhaps a different mate. We all think there's something out there that would really make us happy.
But you know how most people fill in that blank? I could really be happy if only I had more money. For us, money is a passport that allows us to experience the things we truly think will make us happy. And that's why there's so many warnings in Scripture against the love of money. In 1 Timothy 6, 10, Paul said, For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some, by longing for it, have wandered away from the faith and have pierced themselves with many a pain. You know, Jesus said it is impossible to serve God and money.
It's interesting. He didn't say it's impossible to serve God and sex or God and your job or God and recreational activities. All of those things can become idols, no doubt about it. But there's something unique about the allure of money. And again, what it is is money is the passport, the key to purchasing the things we think will make us happy in life.
But it's all an illusion. You know, Solomon was the wealthiest man of his day. And he talked about the futility of money. It's one thing for people who aren't rich to talk about the futility of riches. How do they know?
They've never had them. But what about somebody who's had it all and says, It's not what you think it is. That's what Solomon did. In fact, turn over to Ecclesiastes chapter five for just a moment. Solomon gives six reasons that money will never satisfy our deepest needs. Look at what he says in Ecclesiastes chapter five.
Write these down. First of all, Solomon observes that no one ever has enough money or at least thinks they do. Look at verse 10. Whoever loves money never has money enough. Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. You know, it doesn't matter how much money you're making, you'll find a way to spend all of it. I hear people all the time say, You know, we're making more money now than we ever have in our lives.
And we don't have anything to show for it. Where does it all go? Well, that's what Solomon is talking about. Doesn't matter how much money you make, there'll always be something to consume it.
That's the limitation of money. Closely related to that, verse 11, he says, Money attracts parasites. Money attracts parasites.
Look at verse 11. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes upon them? The more money you have, the more people who surround you. Friends, family members, the Internal Revenue Service, ready to take your money from you. Money attracts parasites. Thirdly, he says, the limitation of money. Money produces anxiety. Look at verse 12. The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.
Solomon noticed something. Those in his kingdom who punched in for work at eight o'clock and punched out at five o'clock, they were able to go home, enjoy their family, go to sleep, and never wake up till the next morning. But people who have a lot of money tend to have sleepless nights. They're worrying about somebody trying to take their money from them. Or maybe they're worried about the responsibilities they have that allowed them to become wealthy to begin with. They think about a payroll they have to meet, and it keeps them from experiencing restful sleep. That's what money does. It produces anxiety. Fourthly, money can be harmful.
Verse 13, I have seen a grievous evil under the sun, wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner. You know, the fact is, if you try to pile up a lot of money, it can actually hurt you. You say, well, how can money actually hurt me?
Well, one thing it does is it robs us of joy in this present life. Do you know people who are always saving for a rainy day? They're just trying to stockpile all the money they can instead of enjoying the sunshine of the present day. I think about the story from our nation's history about the world's richest miser, a widow named Hetty Green. When she died in the early 1900s, she left an estate of $100 million. That's a lot of money today, but in the early 1900s, it was really a lot of money. And yet, even though she had this much money, she was so cheap, she refused to pay the gas to heat her hot water that she had oatmeal with every morning. She ate her oatmeal cold because she didn't want to pay to heat the water.
When her son contracted an infection in his leg, she spent so much time taking him around to try to find a free clinic to treat him that her son contracted gangrene and had to have his leg removed. Now, that's what you call cheap. And that's what Solomon is talking about. Money that is hoarded to the hurt of its owner.
But you know what? Money can only rob you of joy in this present life. The Bible says a love of money, an obsession with money, can rob you of eternal life.
I mean, just think about this. It was the love of money that caused that rich farmer to deceive himself and to think all was well with his soul when in fact he was about to die. It was the love of money that caused the rich young ruler to turn away from Christ. It was the love of money that caused the wealthy man to neglect the poor man, Lazarus. It was the love of money that caused Judas to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. And it was the love of money that caused the couple Ananias and Sapphira to lie to and be struck dead by the Holy Spirit of God. That's the problem with money. Fifth, money can easily be lost, Solomon says.
Look at verse 14. Or wealth can be lost through some misfortune. I mean, think about this, how tragic it is to sacrifice, to save, to accumulate money only to have it be wiped away by a bad investment or a catastrophic illness or a lawsuit. That's why Solomon says in Proverbs 23 verses four and five, do not wear yourself out to get rich. Have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Have you ever seen that happen? Your money just evaporate overnight through some misfortune. Sixth and perhaps most importantly, money can't satisfy ultimately because money is only temporal. Look at verse 15. Naked a man comes from his mother's womb and as he comes so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry into his hand. You know, the fact is you came into this world with nothing and you and I will leave it with nothing.
There are no U-Hauls in heaven. Everything we have, we leave behind. I saw a great illustration of that years ago from the advice columnist from the newspapers, Ann Landers. How many of you remember Ann Landers, the advice columnist? How many of you remember newspapers?
Remember those? I remember clipping this column out and it made such an impression on me. The title of the article for Ann Landers was You Can't Take It With You. She writes, Aunt Emma was married to a tightwad, Uncle Ollie, who was also a little strange. Uncle Ollie made a good salary, but they lived frugally because he insisted on putting 20% of his paycheck under the mattress.
The money, he said, was going to come in handy in their old age. When Uncle Ollie was 60, he was stricken with cancer. Toward the end, he made Aunt Emma promise in the presence of his brothers that she would put the money he had stashed away in his coffin so he could buy his way into heaven if he had to. They all knew Uncle Ollie was a little odd, but this was clearly a crazy request. But Aunt Emma did promise and assured Uncle Ollie's brothers that she was a woman of her word to do as he asked. The following morning after Uncle Ollie died, she took the money, about $26,000, from under the mattress to the bank and deposited it.
She then wrote a check to Uncle Ollie and put it in his coffin. Money is temporal. You know, the fact is, you can't take it with you.
It's refreshing to have something to laugh about these days, and Uncle Ollie will never miss his $26,000, right? Well, by now, I hope you're beginning to understand the danger of comparison. We do ourselves a great disservice by looking over the proverbial fence and assuming the grass is much greener.
This is just one of 11 topics I cover in my practical book. And before we sign off today, let me urge you to pick up the phone or go online and request your copy of Choose Your Attitudes, Change Your Life. In 2 Corinthians 5, verse 17, Paul wrote, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things passed away, and behold, new things have come. Well, what's the secret to putting the past behind and living as a new creature?
The answer? It all starts with your attitude. In my book, I come alongside you and address issues like choosing repentance over guilt, forgiveness over bitterness, and companionship over loneliness. When you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory, you're invited to request your copy. Again, my book is called Choose Your Attitudes, Change Your Life. This is a substantial book, so thanks for giving generously. And remember, your partnership truly makes a difference in the lives of those who hear Pathway to Victory. Whatever amount you choose to give, God will use your gift to pierce the darkness with the light of His Word.
David? Thanks, Dr. Jeffress. A copy of Choose Your Attitudes, Change Your Life by Dr. Robert Jeffress is yours today when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory. Request your copy of the book by calling 866-999-2965, or online visit ptv.org. And when your gift is $75 or more, you'll not only receive the book, but also our current teaching series on CD and DVD, along with a group or individual study guide.
The series, by the way, is also called Choose Your Attitudes, Change Your Life. Again, call 866-999-2965, or online go to ptv.org. You could write to us, P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222.
That's P.O. Box 223609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. I'm David J. Mullins, wishing you a great weekend. Then join us next week for Part 2 of the message Choosing Contentment Over Comparison. That's right here on Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. You made it to the end of today's podcast from Pathway to Victory, and we're so glad you're here. Pathway to Victory relies on the generosity of loyal listeners like you to make this podcast possible. One of the most impactful ways you can give is by becoming a Pathway partner. Your monthly gift will empower Pathway to Victory to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and help others become rooted more firmly in His Word. To become a Pathway partner, go to ptv.org slash donate or follow the link in our show notes. We hope you've been blessed by today's podcast from Pathway to Victory.
