* vs 1-3 - Right after the famous verse about working before kings when you’re good at your work, we get this caution.

* When you’re good at what you do your level of client increases, which puts you around those who have stuff.

* The temptation will be comparison which leads to covetousness.

* Comparison blurs clarity, the very clarity that brought success in the first place.

* So many young professionals try to “look” the part but find themselves craving the stuff.

* Principle - when your faithfulness brings success, buy your nice stuff out of wealth, not riches.

* vs 4 - faith is living without scheming.

* Scheming wearies you, it saps your energy.

* Rather than simply be faithful and bring value you start to think about the money and gravitate toward what will make more of it.

* In time you’re burned out.

* vs 5 - when you GAZE at riches, it’s GONE.

* So what do we do?

* Glance at it (let it get you moving) but Gaze at God (be faithful to Him).

* If you glance at God and gaze at riches you’ll end up in poverty.

* vs 24:19-20 - the way to stay out of comparison is to have an eternal perspective.

* To recognize the end result of your behavior and decisions.

* It’s like a 20 minute Crossfit workout - I’m typically behind in the first 5 mins, but if I try to keep up I’ll burn out.

* If I stay in my zone and go at my pace, I’ll most likely end up winning.

* This is why God doesn’t want us to envy sinners - just focus on being faithful right where you are and God will elevate you as He sees fit.