Episode Details

"Keeping up with the Joneses" is widely used in today's culture given the innate propensity of human beings to want what others have.

Keeping up with the Joneses is one thing. Finding out they've refinanced is quite another.

Using material possessions - homes, cars, vacations, possessions - to define success in one's life illustrates the danger of riches.

When we compare our lives with the lives of others, we look only at their outsides. What others allow us to see. We often covet. Which sometimes leads us to do whatever it takes to keep up with them.

Then when we think we are finally equal with the Joneses, we find out they've refinanced. Again. And we keep trying to keep up with them, only accumulating more and more debt.

Biblical truth teaches us that riches are neither necessary nor needed for contentment. True contentment comes only through Jesus (Philippians 4:12-13). Contentment with godliness is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

And here is the best news possible for today: When we stop wanting what others have, and find true contentment in Jesus, we will stop keeping up with the Joneses once and for all.

And have a lot more cash on hand!