Stepping Stones: Recalibration Feeds Envy

Transformational Tip
Yesterday, we looked at the envy trap Satan sets to get us off track of the path to Christ-likeness. Today, let's look at why we are so susceptible, over and over, to this envy trap. I remember my first paycheck, seemed like so much in high school, then in college. In med school, I had more bills and made 8000/yr and that seemed like so much. But then the third and fourth years of med school, I would work 60-100 hrs/wk for NO pay. Starting residency, I was so much in debt, hadn't had a paycheck in 2 years, and was desperate for money. That first month, I made 36,000/yr. it seemed like a million. I felt so rich...thought it would last forever...believed I was in financial heaven. I was able to buy a TV and bed(moved to California) and eat out when I wanted. Well, 6 months later, I was amazed at how little I now had at the end of the month. I didn't have enough. Residency year 2, I got a raise to 39,000/yr. Wow, I'm rich again. In 5 months, I started to get that "It's not enough" feeling. Year 4, I was making 45,000 and moonlighting to almost double that. Again, I felt rich, but in about 8 months I needed more. What was happening is the phenomena of recalibration. Our flesh is never satisfied. We have a certain setting for needs. Once we hit hat mark, we reset or recalibrate to a higher setting...we need more for the same satisfaction. Needing more as time goes on happens in a lot of areas... money...space in a kitchen or yard...alcohol or caffeine...more out of marriage now than I set when engaged...job satisfaction...needing 2, 3, or 4 cars. Our amnesia to where the real settings need to be, and this recalibration, dangerously dangle us right over the envy trap.
Today, examine your needs meter. Have your settings been calibrated much higher than really necessary. Evaluate where God would set them, or, how Jesus set His.
The real problem with envy, tomorrow.

Prayer
Dear Father, Thanks for meeting my needs. Help me understand the difference between real needs and desires, and be satisfied and thankful when You provide for my needs, not saying "thanks, but I need more". Help me focus on what I have and not I want I don't have. God, You are so awesome and Your design is perfect, help me be transformed through Godly decision-making and not conformed by fleshly decisions.
In Christ's perfectly calibrated offering and name, AMEN!

The Truth
See past 2 days as well.
The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"
And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, "To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Luke 4:3-12