Devotionals for the Heart: Why we shouldn't compare and compete

How Not to Sabotage Yourself by Keeping Up with the Joneses
A devotional by Desiree Future

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”—Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)

Today, I want to share a story with you that will teach you how to take the pressure off yourself when you feel like you need to keep up with the Joneses.

A group of friends planned to travel to Paris (France) for vacation. Isaac, Lennon, Edwin, and Charley had not yet visited this destination. The four men thought it would be a good place to go. Therefore, they booked their airplane flights and hotels then they began saving money.

All the friends held very demanding jobs, so this would be a much needed getaway. Isaac was a supervisor of ten people at a warehouse, Lennon was a plant manager, Edwin was an Accounting Manager, and Charley was a Junior Accountant. Charley was the only one who attended church regularly. Though none were married, they all had financial obligations to meet.

Their itinerary was packed to the brim for their 10-day visit. First on the list was to see the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the cobblestone streets, and visit the many shops along the way. Lennon wanted to take a boat ride to get better views of their destination. It was added to the checklist as well.

After spending 10 fun-filled, glorious days in Paris, it was time to leave. When the group of friends checked in their luggage at the airport, all had heavier bags than they started with when leaving the United States of America for France. Each had purchased many souvenirs for family and friends, as well as for themselves.

Two weeks after returning from their vacation, Charley called each of the other three. It seems he had overspent the money laid aside for the trip. Not having enough savings to pay his rent or car note, it left him in a serious jam.

Isaac, Lennon and Edwin all told him they were sorry but couldn’t loan the money. Charley decided to plead his case to his landlord in hopes he wouldn’t be evicted. Not mentioning his overseas vacation, the scared man explained he would be late with the rent. Thankfully she was understanding and gave him an additional week plus late fees included. Charley prayed the leasing company wouldn’t repossess the new car. After making numerous calls, he was finally able to get an extension on the car lease. Having to make a double payment plus extra high fees would avoid repossession.

Although Charley had saved money for the trip, not enough was stored away. Especially for the unexpected. This gentleman bought items just because his friends did, and the fellow wanted to prove that he had the money to spend as well. Making $57,000 a year in salary as a Junior Accountant didn’t come close to Charley’s six-figure hunger for expensive things. Every extra tourist adventure or object that was added cost more money Charley didn’t have to spend. Not wanting to seem cheap, the young man spent the money—funds that were meant to pay his rent and car note.

Charley was not thinking logically. Instead, his mindset was on how to make it seem like his wallet was bigger than it was. Now, after an exciting trip abroad, Charley found himself in a heap of trouble, having to pay late fees on top of the original amounts due. All in the name of pretending to be someone other than who he was not (a wealthy person).

This reminded me of something I’ve heard about for many years. It was a saying called “Keeping Up with the Joneses”. It means you are trying to compete with others by showing wealth, social status, and possessions. I’ve never been one to try to keep up with the Joneses. There are a lot of people who have more than I do. However, I was raised to understand that what God has given me is for me.

There’s no need for me to go into debt to try and prove my bank account is as big as someone else's. Nor is there a need to put myself in harm’s way so someone else doesn’t get ahead of me. Sometimes, we will find ourselves in situations like this. It may seem like there is no way out. However, this is where we will find God. All we need to do is just ask for guidance. Not only to get out of this jam but to give us knowledge on how not to repeat it.

In life, it’s not about making sure people don’t go higher than you. It’s about helping each other. It’s about praising others when they do well. The reason is that you would want someone to help and praise you, too.

Your gifts that God give to you is for you alone. No matter how big or small, they’re meant for you because God knew you could handle the talent. Keep your focus on your own things and not what someone else has.

Let’s Pray: Father God, please open the hearts and minds of anyone reading this to understand they don’t have to compete with anyone. Help them to see that You gave them something special and that is their uniqueness. Help us to celebrate how you made us and steward well the gifts and talents and money You give us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Keeping Up With The Joneses” by Lydia Walker. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Desiree Future is a self-improvement blogger at “Hope Faith & A Smile” where she pens inspirational and encouraging posts. 

This blog that she started as a place for her upcoming novel turned into something far more than she expected. It developed into a home for conversations with people from all walks of life. By writing about everyday events that occur in her world she makes her posts very relatable. As some commenters have said, “Desiree talks to us and not at us.”

In 2013, she self-published The Pastor’s Heart, a Christian romance novel. The following year in 2014, she self-published its sequel, It’s a New Season.

Desiree has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2020. She’s also been a member of a writing critique group through her local ACFW Chapter since 2021. Several of her articles have appeared on the official blog for ACFW. In 2022, she became a contributing author in the encouraging devotional, The Courage to Write.

This child of God may not have a church home yet, but God is first in her life.

Desiree is a cancer survivor who calls New Jersey home. She enjoys traveling to different places to spark ideas for her next article. She likes thrifting and going to the theater to see the latest matinee.

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Connect with Desiree:
Website: https://desireefuture.com/
E-mail: desireefuturewrites@hotmail.com