Someone recently invented a wonderful word that graphically portrays the sickness that so often comes from material abundance – affluenza. We have all heard of influenza, but have you heard of affluenza? The definitions of “affluenza” include these:

1. The bloated, sluggish and unfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses.
2. An epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by the dogged pursuit of
the American Dream.
3. An unsustainable addiction to economic growth.

We often are consumed with what is really least important in life. Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes, was searching for the “True Meaning to Life” and one road on this search lead him through the way of materialism. What did he find? True lasting happiness was not found there. Solomon declared, “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun” (Eccl. 2:11). Paul warned us that “But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:9-10).

Beloved, should not our focus be on spiritual matters? You know it should. Wealth will not get us to heaven, as a matter of fact, wealth will hinder many from their heavenly goal. Thus, we need to take to heart Solomon’s conclusion at the end of his search for the true meaning to life: “This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13-14).

Are you suffering from affuenza?

Think About It!

Have A Great Day

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com
http://harrisandmoore.org
https://fromthepreacherspc.org/
http://www.syfirst.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”