Years ago, a prank tv show picked out three people as they were paying their bills at a grocery store in New York City. As the middle lady paid her bill, bells went off and balloons dropped from the ceiling. She was told she was the one-millionth customer. Of course, the other two were the numbers 999,999 and 1,000,001. Only the millionth customer was real, the others were plants. First, they announced the prize for customer 999,999 – a trip to Europe. The 1,000,001 customer got her prize next – a trip around the world.
The millionth customer was overjoyed. If that is what the near winners got, she could only imagine her wonderful prize. Her prize? A walking tour of New York City!
She was furious. She protested that since she was the millionth customer, she ought to have the biggest prize and did not want the walking tour.
Of course, we know that she had done nothing to earn her gift. The “walking tour” was still more than she earned, but instead of being happy with what she was given, she compared her gift to what the others had received.
Her problem is as old as mankind.
Cain killed Able because Able was praised for his gift, while Cain was not (Gen 4:3-8).
King Saul tried to kill young David because the people sang “Saul has slain his thousands.” And then sang David has slain his ten thousand (1 Samuel 18:7).
Do you know the secret of happiness? It is simple – learn to be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). Unhappy people focus on the things they do not have.
When we fail to look at all that God has given us and focus on all that we do not have, we will be miserable. We are all rich when compared to someone. We are all poor when compared to someone else.
If you want to be happy, then do not spend your life thinking about what others have that you do not. Do not spend your life feeling like the millionth customer that ought to be given something.
There is no happiness in that.
Lonnie Davis