This is the sixth lesson in Mike’s series, Overcoming Overload, based on the book of the same name, by Steve and Mary Farrar.
Influenza is a physical virus that has killed millions through the ages. “Affluenza” (or affluence) is a spiritual virus that has had a “deadly” impact on the world. The pursuit of success can be a detriment to happiness and spiritual growth.
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.”
Proverbs 23:4
Pressure. Busy-ness. Activities. Stress.
More, more, more…to get ahead, to stay ahead, to keep up with everyone else. To get more stuff.
What impact does it have on your life and your spiritual condition?
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendorwas dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:25-33 (NIV)