MORE!
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It looks like we all survived Thanksgiving. Is anyone still hungry? I am pretty sure that what I did to the steaks, Cornish Hens, and Ham were a sin. I spent the last few days repenting. Now we are going into Christmas, how many of you already have your decorations up?
In our family we exchange gifts at Christmas, like so many other families do. It is always interesting to observe people opening gifts. Some, myself included, like to find the taped points and start unwrapping from there, almost meticulously removing the paper. If it has a bow on it, I will untie the bow or slide it off the end of the package. Any one else unwrap a gift like that?
I have observed others who go all in and tear into the package as if it has hurt them. Where are you? Those who attack the wrapping paper?
The most interesting people to watch are always the children. Especially the young children between the ages 3-8.
They will tear into a package scream about it, almost toss it over their shoulder and grab the next one. When they get to the last one that’s where it is really funny to me, they tear it open, toss it and ask where is the next one? Any more?
Children are a reflection of adults in so many ways. We adults show more restraint. But there is in all of us a desire to get more or add to what we already have.
We have a problem with the pursuit of more. We all want to have a good life, but we have been sold this idea that we will be happy or happier if we have more. Especially in our capitalist materialistic culture, but it’s not an American thing. It’s world wide. It’s humanity.
So what makes for us having a good life? What will really make us satisfied? Where can we find happiness?
More! Problems with our Pursuit
More! Problems with our Pursuit
Years ago I read an article about building wealth for retirement. The focus of the article was about how much wealth do you need to have a happy retirement. Is there a point in wealth building that people say okay that is enough now I can retire. A researcher interviewed people in all strata of our economy. Some were living paycheck to paycheck, others were wealthy and could conceivably go ahead and retire. One of the questions ask was “how much more do you feel like you need for your life to be where you would content?” Across the board the response on average was about 20-25% more than the income or wealth the person had now.
So no matter what the person had they felt they would be happier or satisfied if they could just get to 20-25% more.
It’s a lie that has been given to us from the beginning of time. The Bible starts out with such a story.
Adam and Eve in paradise.
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
They are in paradise, but because of the pursuit of what they did not have. It cost them all of it.
We pursue things with the thought that it will make our life better, will end in happiness or contentment with life and end up losing, end up suffering, end up with shame, end up in bondage of sin, end up being alienated from the ones we love and a God who loves us. It’s paradise lost again.
4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.
5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6 I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.
7 I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me.
8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds.
9 So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.
The Romans and Greeks were hedonist - hedonism says the pursuit of pleasure will bring joy. But it doesn’t bring joy, it brings shame.
Researches call the pursuit made by the writer of Ecclesiastes - Hedonic Adaptation - when a person get’s something they have wanted, but then quickly begin to think about the next thing they want.
My Truck - upgrade Shelley’s vehicle. Or I wish my truck had....
Research has shown that when we get some material good. Even before we get it home the luster has worn off and we are looking for the next thing. Why? Because things do not bring us happiness or joy.
In 1950 the average home size was 980 square feet with 3 people living there. In 2009 the average home size had grown to 2,700 square feet with 2.5 people living there. The size of the home doubled while the family shrunk by almost 17 percent.
In 2015 research on the average American family found that:
The majority carried $15,675 in credit card debt on average.
Had $28,000 in car loans.
Had $48,600 in student loan debt.
The mortgage was $172,043
All on a yearly income of $75,600
Another way to put it is that everyone has been sold this idea that if I use money I don’t have yet I can buy happiness.
Suntrust Bank did a study and found that the number one stress in marriages had to do with money.
We try to buy our way into happiness and joy, but end up with stress and debt.
The Bible examples
The Bible examples
Jesus in the parable of the sower - Seed sown among the thorns is one who hears but the cares (distractions) of world and deceitfulness (lust) of riches choke the word.
18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
David and Bathsheba - David had wives and concubines but he desired what he did not have.
Amnon and Tamar - Loved her, desired to have her so much that he raped her. Once he had raped her.
15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”
Thought that he wanted her, but he really didn’t.
Judas - He thought he wanted the 30 pieces of silver. But he threw it away and hung himself.
Gehazi - Nammon offered gifts to Elisha for healing. Elisha refused, but Gehazi his servant desired them.
25 Now he went in and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.”
26 Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?
27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
That was a lot of money: buy clothing, olive groves, vineyards, sheep and oxen, get some servants. Was it worth it? Judged with leprosy.
We spend a lot of time on the obvious sins of desire, sinful pleasures, pornography, adultery, fornication (sexual sin), the love of money.
Biblical Answer
Biblical Answer
15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Godliness - holiness, we shall be content (satisfied, be enough).
Reality is that the flesh is never satisfied.
Kingdom of God
Kingdom of God
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
The kingdom of God and His righteousness. That is what we should make a priority in what we seek in this life.
Things of the Spirit
Things of the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Relationships
Relationships
Happiness index done by the U.N. seeks to understand what is making people happy. Relationships are constantly in the top 3.
Relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s people - Life Groups
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Experiences
Experiences
Baptism of the Holy Spirit - Time in worship, God’s presence.
Ending
Ending
True happiness, joy, peace is not found in the gaining more of what this world offers. It is found in the God who created this world, the people who surround you, and the experiences of God.