One-Upmanship

Shakespeare calls it “the green sickness.” The poet Horace said, “Tyrants never invented a greater torment.” But envy is sneaky. It recognises that openly “trying to…get the better of others” is distasteful, so it looks instead for socially acceptable ways to express itself. Like the “Yes…but,” approach. That’s where you say something nice about somebody, but make sure to put a sting in the tail. For example, “She’s a great worker – but her personal life is a mess.” Another perennial favourite is questioning people’s motives. “He’s only giving that money to impress others.” And how about the old unflattering comparison that goes something like this, “If you think he can sing, you should hear Mrs. So-and-So.” Sadly, one-upmanship is sometimes more prevalent among talented professionals like writers, teachers, politicians, singers, doctors, athletes – and preachers! For whatever reason, we seem to have trouble acknowledging the gifts and contributions of others.

So what’s the answer? Paul says it lies in “the rich simplicity of being yourself.” Relinquish your obsession with getting ahead of others and having more. Learn to be content with who and what you are right now, while always striving to grow. Early in Scripture God says, “Do not covet…anything” (Ex 20:17), because most of what we get upset about won’t matter in eternity.

Peter Morphew
Chaplain