It is not an overt thought that is mentioned, but it’s lurking in the background when we think about keeping up with the Joneses.
Why should they get all the good stuff? He’s got a pretty wife, he’s got a great car, he’s got a lovely house and he has such a sweet job. I want that. It’s not fair that he has all that and what do I have? I don’t have anything as good as that. I want that. My car doesn’t look as smooth as theirs does. Look a their phone too, I still have some cheap old model and theirs is the latest model. I want that.
Some people see no problem with that. Your neigbbour has something, you want it, that’s all good. It’s what helps to drive the consumer economy helped by the ads that reminds you that you will never be as cool, as smooth, as sexy, as beautiful, as smart and as desirable as your neighbour until you have what he has.
The problem with that is just how much a waste of time and energy that turns out to be. It’s especially unfortunate because in the larger scheme of things it is a lot better to look out for the good for your neighbour, than going around desiring what they have. The reality remains as a wise man said that the quality of life is not accurately measured by the abundance of possessions – especially the ones you got because you desired what was your neigbour’s.
There is something about freedom and love on the inside that allows you to look at whatever material success your neighbour may have and genuinely be happy for them and leave it at that. No desire to catch up with them, because there’s enough to be grateful for in your life. In fact rather than envying them and wanting what they have, love looks at opportunities to bless. There is more to life than possessions and relationships thrive based on a love that sees how its more blessed to give rather than take and a love that looks for the good to celebrate rather than looking to get one up on them.
That kind of love for others makes a huge impact in the neighbourhood. That kind of love is what can lift the quality of life above materialism to truly seeing what life is about.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 