I don't think most people worry much about being better than their fellow man - or better off than, which is what I think you mean, michaelr.

We worry about having enough to get by for ourselves and the people dependent on us. Give me that and I'd sooner make music than try to get more.

Getting more than you need is a way of insuring against getting less than you need. A real drag, even if sonetimes you feel bound to try to do it.