KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Affluenza
IT'S FLU SEASON again, only there’s a not-so-new strain that is out there that is more vicious than any germ...
Its Latin name is affluenza-gottabuyitis. The symptoms affect us all unless we are inoculated with the contentment serum that comes only from having something in our lives that is more valuable that all the things that money can buy.
You might have affluenza if you get frustrated by all the stuff you have filling your life and yet you make frequent trips to those who sell more. You might have affluenza if you are too ill or frail to come and sit in a comfortable place of worship, but manage to negotiate the aisles at Wal-Mart. You might have affluenza if you are actually interested in some of the junk mail that you get, especially the weekly sales ads. You might have affluenza if you would lose at Bible quizzes, but know all the answers on The Price Is Right. And finally, you might have affluenza if you actually know how many shopping days are left until Christmas.
If you’ve got affluenza and want to get over it, here is the cure:
1) Take a dose of reality. Recognize that “I need” and “I want” are not the same. Realize how many people in the world live without the latest (you name it) and get along just fine.
2) Get a shot of compassion. Consider the last time you bought to please yourself and how your purchase brought joy for such a short time. Now think of how a gift to someone who is truly in need will bring you joy that lasts.
3) Don’t make any purchase without prayer. That includes giving God thanks for your daily bread and for the bounty that allows us to have many more things that make us comfortable and that give us a pleasant way of life. While you pray, seek God’s will instead of just seeking to satisfy your own cravings (cf. James 4:13-5:7).
4) Get a booster shot of contentment. God is so good and He has blessed us in so many ways with so many things.
Let us never take our eyes off the truly valuable things of God which are everlasting and replace greedy affluence with gracious thanks. (Roger Wright)
KneEmail: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” ( I Timothy 6:6-8).