Do you have chickens? Do you ever stop to watch the silly little creatures argue over things such as food and which box they can lay their eggs in? It's funny to observe their selfish natures kick in, they want what the other chicken has.
As I sat and laughed at their silliness, it dawned on me that humans naturally partake in these actions. It's a keeping up with the Joneses mentality. Not only earthly objects, we also want that person's figure, their skills, or their spiritual gifts. The Bible warns against such sinful thoughts!
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife...nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.
Exodus 20:17
There is nothing wrong with making it a goal to have nice things, however, it should not be because we want to one up another. Live with what you have, and strive to better yourself.
For this you know, that no fornicators, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Ephesians 5:5
Coveting another person's possessions, looks, or spiritual gifts distracts you from the true goal in life, pleasing our heavenly Father. If you spend your time on Earth keeping up with the Joneses, you lose the treasures of heaven. You begin to focus on that and forget to serve the Lord. Helping others falls to the wayside. Getting involved with the Church goes to the back of the mind. We only live to serve ourselves.
Soon we become engulfed and drown in the selfish desires of the sinful heart.
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of the mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:17-19
As Christians, we are not to live the way of the World. We are to separate ourselves from it and live the life of God. Keeping up with the Joneses only plants us into the Earth more. It only makes us just another poor soul living an aimless life instead of being the example of light and joy that we experience as Christians.
Once again, we can have goals and aspirations for earthly things. However, do not turn it into an idol, live a life knowing these are only earthly treasures. Seeking the Kingdom of God should be our main goal in life.
Nancy Jane
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