Devotional: The Happiness Myth of Materialism and the Responsibility Wealth Brings

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying,“The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

~ Luke 12:15-21

Travelling to a country characterized by extreme poverty, I can't help but be convicted of my constant need for another fill-in-the-blank. I look at these people who have so little and think how much more I have in my own bedroom. I have so much... well, junk. I have grown up in a materialistic culture that has tricked me more than once that "just one more" will make me happy. 

My only comfort, and yet sorrow, is that I'm not the only one. 

How many times have we fell for it? Did you really need that umpteenth shirt? What about that latest gadget? Extra sports gear? Latest movie? Or - my Achilles' heel - that Ice Cap? Fill in the blank. When you really think about all the money you've - we've - spent on purchases that either last about 10 minutes, sit in your closet, or lay on your desk to occasionally be used, it's pretty appalling. I'm as guilty, if not more, than every one of you.

The worst thing is, we honestly believe that these things will make us happy. After all, who wouldn't be content with the latest sports car or an entirely new wardrobe of this season's fashions? This really is the thought and justification that passes our minds as we make yet another transaction, and yet before the week is over (if we even last that long), we're drooling over the newest "must have" item. 

I'm not saying we shouldn't spend money on things for ourselves - not at all. I enjoy picking out a new outfit and going out for a haircut. I love getting together on coffee dates and talking about what God's doing in our lives. I enjoy grabbing a movie that helps me focus on the right things and builds me up spiritually. I'm a huge fan of getting together with a bunch of friends and going somewhere together where we can all spend time together, encourage each other, and build bonds. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying doing these things and spending money on it. What I am saying is that we shouldn't be wasting our money frivolously on every passing whim when there are so many needs we could be instrumental in meeting. 

We need to stop viewing our money as a reward and start seeing it as the great responsibility it is.

Think about all the wonderful possibilities we could have to be a blessing to others if we would be more thoughtful on what we spend our money on and used our wealth for things that truly mattered. Supporting missionaries. Helping fellow Christians with serious needs. Working together on reaching out in the community. Funding bible conferences. Taking up a project as a church body and providing financial aid. I could go on, but do you see the point? If we honestly took to heart the fact that God has provided us with our wealth in order that we can bless others and further the Gospel, I believe we all would spend our money differently from how we currently are.  

What is our priority and purpose in life? Is it to satisfy our never-ending desires for something to make us happy for an invariably small point of time, or is it to honour and glorify our Lord and Saviour? 

When I think about this, that new dress, that faster laptop, and even that delicious Ice Cap don't seem half as appealing. 

Pretty sad I had to go all the way to Africa to learn this.