Cure available for our culture’s case of ‘affluenza’

Their checkbook never seems to balance.

For the next few weeks, their calendar is already full of commitments that will leave them physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.

Their workplace used to be a fulfilling challenge, but more and more it seems like drudgery. Even the best day at work lacks a sense of overarching purpose beyond making a living.

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? They are warning signs of an ailment that has become a pandemic in American culture.

Some psychologists call the malady “affluenza,” a destructive byproduct of a people preoccupied with possessions.

Affluenza crept into the church long ago, and it knows no social or economic barriers. Its simple cure is wildly unpopular, even among Christians, so it continues to plague its victims with chronic busyness, enduring financial distress, difficulty in decision-making and a sense of “just getting by” in life.

Here’s the good news: God desires to liberate us from such a lifestyle and fill us with a blessed purpose for life. He asks us to give him control of our time, money and talents, acknowledging that they ultimately exist for his glory, not just our pleasure.

The Scriptures have much to say about our stewardship of the resources God has given us. Living God’s way, instead of our own, is the only sure path to a life of meaning and contentment.

Here’s what the Bible tells us:

My time is not my own: You know the cliché, “Time is money.” Time is actually worth a lot more than money. We cannot renew it, and we cannot increase it.

The Bible makes it clear that time is a resource given to us by God. We have a stewardship of our time in the same way we do money.

Paul told the Ephesians, “…Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time. … Don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of God is” (Ephesians 5:16-17 NLT).

When we treasure our time, invest it in God’s purposes and manage it under his leading, we will enjoy his best for us. The opposite is true: When we refuse to give God control of our time, ceding control of our calendar to other people or a job, we rapidly lose our sense of meaning.

My money is either a tool or an idol: Bible teacher and author Howard Hendricks coined that phrase, I think. He rightly restated a truth expressed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

The issue isn’t about how much money we have; wealth is not a sin, but a blessing. But our bank accounts tend to tell the truth about whom we really worship – God, or self.

Jesus asks his followers to stop chasing after material possessions and invest in that which is eternal: God’s kingdom.

All of us, no matter what our means, can make sharing and giving to others a priority, because he’s promised to meet those material needs we tend to fret the most about. Being saddled with debt to satisfy our wants robs us of the ability to use money as a tool for God’s glory.

My vocation is a mission field and a place to serve others, not just a paycheck: Earning a living is important. For husbands and fathers, the Bible tells us that failing to provide for our families is worse than being an unbeliever.

But even work is to be done to the glory of God, not solely as a source of material gain or personal fulfillment: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord and not to men … for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Christians ought to be known as industrious, competent workers who care more about people than the bottom line. The workplace brightens when we regard it as a place to show God’s love for others and honor him with a job well done.

My talents and abilities can bless God and others, not just myself: I am privileged to know many people with amazing abilities to fix things, make things or otherwise be productive in ways I cannot. I’m inspired by their sincere desire to invest those talents in serving others, not just themselves.

Serving others with the unique abilities God has given is often the strongest testimony of his love and provision.

Are you fighting the symptoms of affluenza? Does the thought of your time, money and job bring you joy, or distress?

Affluenza’s cure is simple, yet costly.

Give God control of your time, finances, vocation and abilities. They are his anyway.

True contentment and purpose in life come from submitting to God’s ways.

The result is a life worth living.