I have a theory. And it’s only a theory. I have no statistical data to prove my hypothesis, but my theory is based on years of observing human behavior. And here it is. As a rule, people love to be associated with those who are wealthy, popular and/or good looking. I know. I know. This is not a revolutionary theory unique to me, but it is one that is worth an exploratory evaluation. Especially, as it relates to “Why?”
We are all familiar with the old idiom, “Keeping up with the Joneses.” That phrase originated from the comic strip Keeping Up with the Joneses, created by Arthur R. “Pop” Momand in 1913. The strip depicted the social climbing McGinis family who struggled to keep up with their popular and well-to-do neighbors, the Jones family. Rather than blazing their own trail and just being themselves, the McGinis clan was constantly trying to prove to others that they were worthy of the same attention and status that the Joneses enjoyed.
In my estimation, this kind of thinking and resultant behavior has only been exacerbated over the years. Take social media for example, which now seems to be the great revealer of human behavior. In keeping with my theory, just watch the “likes” pile up when a wealthy, popular and/or good-looking person posts something. Even if it is something random or odd (which would get no traction at all if your average person posted it), people will “like” it to either try and win their favor, or so others might think they are associated with them. When we see that, it’s hard not to surmise that there really is something more to this phenomenon than meets the eye.
Former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly even coined a phrase for this ever-growing fascination with image and association. He called it “upping.” He said, “For some reason over-caffeinated parents feel they have to keep up with the Joneses. They used to do it with their cars. Now they do it with their kids.”
While “Keeping up with the Joneses” seems to be a universal ideal, we as Christians should not allow ourselves to get sucked into this kind of fascination and/or pursuit. Our mission is to be like Christ, not the Joneses.
Contentment
Satan and his world system have a way of throwing a lot of tantalizing things at us in hopes that we will seek our fulfillment in anything but Christ. But as Solomon said at the end of his life, after he tried finding contentment in all that this world had to offer, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is this, fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Everything else, he said, is “vanity” and “striving after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 16; 6:9 cf).
If I’ve learned anything in my life it is that God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). I wholeheartedly concur with the Apostle Paul that true contentment can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:11-13; I Timothy 6:6-12).
So, we need to be satisfied in Him. Content in Him. And we need to be content with what we have been given and where He has us right now in our lives.
Joy
As those redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7), our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Someone once said it this way, “We are here on this earth with visitor passes.” But even as visitors, who are no more than aliens and strangers (I Peter 1:1, 2:11-12) we can (and should) have great joy in the journey. It is God’s will for our lives (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
John MacArthur defines joy this way: “Spiritual joy is the settled conviction that God sovereignly controls the events of life for the believers’ good and His glory.” So, joy is not some superficial emotional response to life’s occurrences, it is an unwavering confidence that God is providentially superintending all things (Job 42:2; Psalm 103:19; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11).
Thankfulness
In the Bible there are three Hebrew words, one Aramaic word and six Greek words that translate “thank, thanks, thankful, thankfulness and/or thanksgiving.” Those words are used one hundred and thirty-nine times in the Bible. So, while there are multiple nuances of the word “thanks” in scripture, each points to the same basic idea which is “a heartfelt expression of gratefulness.” What a reminder that everyday should be Thanksgiving Day for the Christian. As we reflect upon the goodness of God and the undeserved blessings that are abundantly ours, it should drive us to our knees in gratitude.
The Apostle Paul rhetorically asked the arrogant, ungrateful church at Corinth, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (I Corinthians 4:7). Of course, the implied answer is “nothing.” James reminds us of that very truth when he says that “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).
Our life, our salvation, our church, our families, our friends, our homes, our possessions, our jobs, our health, and on and on we can go—all of it has been given to us by God. We are all so truly blessed.
In response, the Apostle Paul says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:18). It is God’s will that we not only “give thanks”, but that we “give thanks in everything.” In other words, in every circumstance of life we are to exhibit a heart of thanksgiving to God.
Faithfulness
For the Christian, the condition of our heart always drives the conduct of our actions. It is relatively easy to fool others, but we cannot fool God because He knows our hearts (I Samuel 15:7). As each day goes by, and we get closer to seeing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we need to make each day count.
Along those lines, the Apostle Paul reminded the saints at the church of Ephesus that believers in Christ are to walk wisely, faithfully redeeming the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Christians are to be diligent about doing good (Titus 3:8) while holding fast to the faithful Word (Titus 1:9).
Just a thought, but maybe we should be more like the Smiths than the Joneses. The Smiths are just an unassuming family that loves the Lord, is committed to the church and models contentment, joy, thankfulness, and faithfulness. Thank you to the fictitious Smith family. You are a great example to us all.