"A Common Myth about Happiness"

            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 about happiness 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.

            On Sunday, January 24th, I will continue my current sermon series on happiness by examining this myth.  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 a 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 are suggesting is the key to authentic happiness—in the here and now. Further, faithful discipleship holds the promise of everlasting happiness in the far future.

I invite you to join us at Christ United Methodist Church as we continue our exploration of becoming happier persons.  During the service, we will explore the alternative, counter-cultural Christian understanding of happiness as played out in the story of the rich, young leader.  We are located at 4530 A Street in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Our classic worship services are at 8:30 and 11:00 on Sunday mornings.

Everyone is welcome and accepted because God loves us all.