There are times in each of our lives when we compare ourselves with others. Jesus talks about this attitude in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Most of the story is about the younger son, who took his inheritance and wasted it all.
When the younger son came home, his father welcomed him with open arms and threw a huge party. The older son heard about the party and was furious. He thought it was unfair that his father was so generous with someone the elder son judged as undeserving (see Luke 15:29-30, NIV).
The older brother wanted his father to be fair. But his father, like any father, was more than fair; he was loving.
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘…everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate…because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again'” (Luke 15:31-32).
The father had a greater vision. He loved both his sons, and that was more than enough. God is the same way with us.
As much as we might complain about another’s success, we need to remember that God loves each of us. And His love for one person doesn’t have anything to do with His love for someone else. All we need to do is look to Him.
