From the time of birth, each man is dealt a hand – wealth, and the ability to produce it. Each man is dealt a different hand, a fact indicated in Scripture and confirmed by experience. Some are born into luxury, some are born into abject poverty. Some are given many talents and are surrounded by people who nurture them to greatness; some are given little and are surrounded by people who trample on them.

As we come into contact with different people along life’s journey, it is almost inevitable that we will notice the different hands we are dealt. In some cases, these inspire admiration and respect. In others, envy and jealousy.

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When we hear stories of those who rose from rags to riches, and stories of those who found tremendous success despite being born with various physical impediments, our hearts are filled with warmth and we feel we can overcome the impossible. These people were endowed with little, but overcame the odds and rose to wealth and prominence. These exemplars kindle hope within us, building within us the belief that we too can rise above our circumstances if we tried. They had been dealt poor hands. Yet, somehow, through ingenuity and sheer determination, they clawed their way out of the mire and attained unimaginable success.

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When instead we stand beside those who enjoy what we feel should be rightfully ours, who threaten our self esteem because others compare us with them, we feel jealous. We want what they have. We imagine how it would be like to enjoy the material possessions they have, to have the leisure of the vacations and fine food, to wield the influence they have among men. Then we look back at ourselves and realise the wretched state we are in. Some of us sulk, some of us take to destructive action. If we cannot have it, they cannot either.

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Realising the unfairness in the world, we start to think how the world could be a better place if material possessions were distributed in a more equal manner. Should we equalise the hands we are dealt? We can measure the value of material endowments, but not inborn talents. And while we did nothing to deserve the material endowments we receive, those who endowed us with material possessions made a deliberate choice to give us what we have. Should we equalise the financial outcomes whatever the choices people make? Society would be plagued by moral hazard.

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Whatever the thoughts and emotions, never forget that each of us is dealt a hand. Those who succeeded were dealt a hand. They played that hand well, and their stories have become an inspiration to others. Likewise, those who blundered were dealt a hand. As far as it depended on them, they could have played the hand better and so minimise the suffering they faced.

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The decision to play your hand rests entirely on you. It starts now. The past is gone, and tomorrow never comes.

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Whether it is to be more generous to the poor, to put your time to good use by getting a proper job, or to control your spending and get out of debt. It starts with the first step. It starts today. Those of us who have been dealt decent hands have the responsibility to play our hands well, so that we do not become a burden on anyone else, so that we can provide for our loved ones, and so that we can intervene to help those who were dealt unplayable hands. These responsibilities lasts a lifetime.