"Keeping up with the Joneses" is defined as an idiom in many parts of the English-speaking world referring to the comparison to one's neighbor as a benchmark for social caste or the accumulation of material goods. To fail to "keep up with the Joneses" is perceived in society as demonstrating socio-economic or cultural inferiority.
This way of thinking has been mainstreamed into what is considered normal by society's standards. Advocates of it will lobby that the phrase "motivates" people to strive for better and to work hard towards his/her full potential.
In my case, I came to discover that this way of thinking may actually keep people from their predestined journey in life, as pre-determined by God. Who are we trying to please and impress? The Joneses or God?
The Not Keeping up with Joneses book series will analyze some critical areas in our life. This book, Run Your Own Race questions the potential contradictions between society's expectations of it's members and the expectations and innate desires of oneself - and that of God's.