This is our next Bible Study, "Enough, discovering the joy through simplicity and generosity" by Adam Hamilton. I read the first part of the book and I'm guilty as charged! Getting caught up by the "American Dream" - the pursuit of immediate material pleasures. Consuming, acquiring, buying - is what the American dream has come to mean or shall we say American nightmare!
There are two dis-eases that impact us both socially and spiritually:
- Affluenza which is the constant need for more and bigger and better stuff, as well as that this need has on us. Definition by a program on the Public Broadcasting Station
- the bloated, sluggish, and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses.
- An epidemic of stress, overwork, waste, and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream.
- An unsustainable addiction to economic growth.
- Credit-itis - that goes along with affluenza. It's the opportunity for us to buy now and pay later that feeds our desire for instant gratification! "Unfortunately, it has exploited our lack of discipline and allowed us to feed our affluenza, wreaking havoc in our personal and national finances."
There is a spiritual issue that lies beneath the surface of affluenza and credit-itis - our inner brokenness, we are meant to desire God but we have turned that desire toward possessions. We are meant to find security in God but we find it in amassing wealth. We are meant to love people but instead we compete with them. We are meant to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, but we busy ourselves with pursuing money and things. We are meant to be generous and to hare with those in need, but we selfishly hoard our resources for ourselves. There is a sin nature within us.
