We live in a culture which glorifies
consumption as the key to obtaining happiness.
In our daily lives, we are bombarded with messages encouraging us to
consume in order to be happy. These
messages come in various forms, through print and media commercials that tell
us that we will be happy if we just buy a particular product or service. This message also reaches us through
television shows, movies, and books that glamorize wealth and consumption as
the key to a happy lifestyle.
Despite the prevalence of this
message that consumption is the key to happiness, many empirical studies
suggest that having more and more possessions actually does not lead to greater happiness—at least not after a basic
threshold of life necessities has been met. Rather than consumption, we know that it is
personal growth, positive attitudes, strong relationships, a sense of
gratitude, a strong sense of meaning, serving others, and working to make the
world a better place, which lead to greater happiness.
Still, this false myth that
consumption is the key to obtaining happiness permeates our society. Embedded within this false myth is an unholy
trinity of doctrines:
1. “I consume, therefore I am.”
2. “The more I consume, the happier I will be.”
3. “What I consume is who I am.”
It is impossible to
escape continual exposure to this myth within our popular culture. Yet, there is an alternative path from a
Christian perspective. This alternative
Christian perspective coheres much closer with the empirical findings of
psychologists, neuro-scientists, geneticists, and others.
This weekend, my message will be
based upon Luke 18: 18-30, the story of the rich, young ruler. In this story, the rich ruler asks Jesus, “What
must I do to inherit eternal life?”
This, I suppose, is the core question concerning ultimate
happiness. In essence, the rich leader
asks what is the key to happiness and bliss forever and ever to infinity—and beyond!?!
After establishing that the rich
leader strives to lead an ethical life by following all of the Jewish laws,
Jesus tells him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the
money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Luke explains that after this statement by Jesus, the rich leader “became
sad; for he was very rich.” At this
point, most likely, the leader got up and left the discussion. Saddened by the leader’s decision to choose
his earthly wealth over eternal happiness and bliss, Jesus observes, with hyperbole,
“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom
of God.”
The crux of this story about the rich, young ruler is where we place
our faith. In the story, the ruler
trusts that his material wealth will provide him with more happiness than
anything else. This is similar to the
false myth prevalent in our culture, which tells us that consumption of more
and more things will bring us the greatest happiness. This outcome deeply saddens Jesus because he
knows that in actuality true and lasting happiness comes by placing our faith
in God and striving to be a faithful disciple.
From Christ’s perspective, happiness in this present life is rooted in
faithful discipleship which includes personal spiritual growth, strong
relationships within the family and a community of faith, gratitude for the
blessings that we receive from God, serving others and striving to make the
world a better place. In addition, the Christian
life provides a spiritual meaning which is greater than simply we, ourselves. In short, the lifestyle of a Christian
provides those factors, which empirical studies suggests are the key to
authentic happiness—in the here and now. Further, faithful discipleship holds
the promise of everlasting happiness in the far future.
My message this weekend (September 21 & 22) will explore more
deeply this false myth that consumption is the key to happiness. More significantly, it will explore the
alternative, counter-cultural Christian understanding of happiness as played
out in the story of the rich, young leader.
If you live in the Meriden-area and
do not have a regular church home, I
invite you to join us this weekend, as we continue our exploration of becoming
happier persons. Meriden United Methodist
Church is located at the corner of Dawson and Main Streets in Meriden, Kansas. We have two worship services each weekend:
Ø Our
contemporary service starts at 6 pm on Saturday evenings.
Ø Our classic
service starts on at 10 am on Sunday mornings.
Everyone is welcome and accepted
because God loves us all.
