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Anyone living in America knows we are constantly bombarded by the Gospel of More.

 What is the Gospel of More? It is the idea that we must always strive to have more stuff than we have now. The basic tenet of the Gospel of More is that we do not have enough material goods, and what we do have is not good enough. We must constantly strive to have a bigger and better house, car, furniture…you name it. The underlying premise of this Gospel is that our happiness depends on our acquiring more and better stuff.

Who are the promoters of this Gospel? The High Priests of this Gospel reside on Madison Avenue, and they work night and day to create the illusion that our happiness depends on our material possessions. If we are ensnared by this illusion, the High Priests have done their job.

Who are the benefactors of this Gospel? The corporations that wish to sell you their goods are the ultimate benefactors. If they can get you to trade in your car, sell your existing house, and get rid of your furniture to upgrade, then the High Priests have accomplished their purpose.

What must you do to be a disciple of this Gospel? A person cannot be a true disciple of this Gospel unless they are willing to go into debt. This Gospel is not cheap, and it does not come easy. Its adherents must continually work and enslave themselves in debt to follow it.

Do the High Priests preach the truth? No. They are selling an illusion that doesn’t exist. Ask anyone who has gotten the new house, car, or furniture, and ask them how long the happiness has lasted. Usually, they will tell you, until they had to make the first payment.

Is there a church that this Gospel promotes? Yes, it is called the Church of Materialistic Desire, and all are invited to join. The services are usually full to overflowing, and you are always welcome to attend. Snippets of their services are on display during the commercials of your favorite television show.

Is it easy to leave the Church of Materialistic Desire? No. It is probably one of the hardest things a person can do. One must desire to let go of the illusion and be willing to live a life that is counterintuitive to the culture we live in. 

What are the benefits of leaving the Church of Materialistic Desire? Two things come to mind: one, contentment, and two, a realignment of values. Once a person has broken free of this lifestyle, he is free to enjoy what he has and break free from the cycle of debt.

What about you? Have you been thinking of leaving the Church of Materialistic Desire? It does take a paradigm shift in our minds, but it can be done. Jesus said, “A man’s life does NOT consist in the abundance of his possessions.” He was telling the truth, and deep down, we all know it. Why not give it a try?