16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases; Psalm 49:16

This verse could have been written today and for this generation. It’s quite easy in “middle class America” to envy those who acquire vast amounts of wealth. Forbes publishes lists of the world’s wealthiest every year. As economies grow, the number of millionaires also grow.

Consider this though:

• do you have to worry about hackers targeting your accounts because of who you are
• unscrupulous accountants siphoning off money from your accounts
• state-of-the-art burglar alarms around your properties
• hiring expensive body guards
• “relatives” you’ve never met showing up at your doorstep
• receiving loads of hate mail
• an occasional random pie in the face
• and never being able to enjoy a dinner out on the town because of being recognized?

Many – but not all – live in veritable prisons because of their wealth and fame.

I don’t write that to demean the wealthy but to ask us to take a look at what we have.

Are you satisfied with what you have? Do you crave more?

Instead of envying the wealthy, we really should be grateful for what we have and who we have to share it with. The United States is a very wealthy nation, where even the middle class are considered wealthy by the world’s standards.

Stop.

Appreciate what you have.

Learn to bless others with what you have even more than you are now.