How can leaders refuse the temptation to compare? - Comparisons - TouchPoints

1 Corinthians 3:4-8When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. . . . The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.

Leaders are freed from the need to compare by accepting and celebrating their particular calling from God. They realize that no one can do it all, and that God has given them a privilege of being part of his work, while others have their own parts to play.

Romans 14:10, 12So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. . . . Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

God looks at each person individually. The leader of each church or organization will give his or her own account to God. Leaders should focus on their own organizations, do their best to be godly leaders, and refuse to compare themselves with others. Comparison can be good for leaders if it means they learn from one another and become better and more efficient at what they do, but they must not compare in ways that lead to negativity.

2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

Leaders can resist the urge to compare when they truly focus on their own faith, their own path, and their own obedience to Jesus Christ to be sure they are acting and living genuinely.

Galatians 6:4-5Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Leaders can resist the urge to compare by focusing on their work and doing it well. When they do that, they need not compare themselves to anyone else.

Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

Leaders can resist comparing themselves with other leaders or their organizations with other organizations when they are willing to rejoice with those who succeed and help carry the burdens of those who suffer.