Pleasure and Greed
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Over the last several decades, the shift toward materialism has been undeniable. Across all nations, the accumulation of goods has become an obsession. This obsession has led directly to the emergence of a modern mix of humanism and hedonism—the belief that happiness and enjoyment of the “here and now” is the central purpose of life.
For increasing numbers, this is taking a newer form—the sin of gluttony (Prov. 23:21). Almost one-third—73 million—of all adults in the United States are obese, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported. According to the CDC, from 2007 to 2009, the number of obese adults aged 18 and over rose by 2.4 million—a 1.1 percent increase. These statistics are double the national numbers of 30 years ago.
For extreme examples of carnal pleasures, look no further than the average modern city. Strip clubs are essentially a “dime a dozen.” Many cities across the globe are no less than a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah, where “pleasure” is seemingly the main impetus for each day. So many now “work for their weekends,” which are often filled with parties, drinking and sexual exploits.
The spirit of “tolerance” becomes necessarily a main theme, and many are taking it to an extreme. All forms of “pleasure” are not only tolerated, but actually encouraged. With all of this pleasure-seeking, one might think there would be increased joy and happiness. Yet people’s lives are now filled with worse problems of every shape and form.
Hoping pleasure will bring happiness, people live “in pleasure on the earth, and [have] been wanton” (James. 5:5). Millions have no idea what brings true happiness. So many are “…foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving [various] lusts and pleasures…” (Titus 3:3).
We saw that the main motivating factors behind the recent global financial crisis were greed and covetousness. Banks were greedy for ever-higher profits. So were investors who took foolish risks for higher return on investment. And greedy individuals sought loans they could not repay to purchase material goods they coveted.
God sees—and hates—all of these things!
Violence, Crime and Corruption
Consider how often acts of mass violence now occur in schools, restaurants or other places in ways that were virtually unheard of until recently! Who ever heard of “serial snipers” in previous decades? The relatively modern phenomenon of terrorism is now worldwide! Gang violence and warfare have never been greater—or spreading faster. Truly, violence is now a global epidemic, just as in Noah’s time.
According to the World Health Organization, violence is responsible for the deaths of more than 1.6 million people worldwide every year. It is “among the leading causes of death for people aged 15-44 years of age, accounting for 14% of deaths among males and 7% of deaths among females. On an average day, 1,424 people are killed in acts of homicide, almost one person every minute.”
Looking at just a few newspapers today provides a reader with accounts that are but a brief snapshot of an ever spiraling trend in today’s society. News presents a picture of a world truly “full of bloody crimes.” Many cases (as evidenced in high-profile cases of recent years) are so often left unsolved.
Gone are the days when parents did not have to worry if their children left the front yard without them. Today, trust and confidence have been replaced by suspicion and fear! People no longer consider the effects their actions will have on others. Human life has been increasingly devalued, as evidenced by some who kill merely because they have been “disrespected” or to enter a gang, or even just for the sake of killing. Many thousands are murdered every year on just the streets of America. Millions more are slaughtered worldwide each year.
More and more, when things do not go their way, people simply “lose it.” They go on killing sprees and, in some cases, end it by taking their own lives. They seem to believe the solution to their own problems must necessarily involve wreaking misery, unhappiness, suffering and death on others. The rationale seems to be, “I’m going down, and I’m going to take as many with me as I can.”
Studies also show that “Over two-thirds of the world’s countries are rife with corruption” (Reuters).
Turn on your television or radio, or go to the Internet. Pick up a newspaper or news magazine. Watch local, national or world newscasts. No matter your source for news, one of the regular, big headlines is crime—and on personal, corporate and governmental levels.
What has been covered is but the briefest glimpse of what God sees when “the eyes of the Lord … run to and fro through the whole earth” (Zech. 4:10). A sin-sick world!
But when these things are brought to people’s attention, most blame others, rather than taking responsibility.
The Blame Game
Many today specialize in playing the “blame game.” Large numbers of people feel little or no personal responsibility for what happens to them. Many now see themselves largely as blameless, innocent victims of any number of possible perpetrators.
People who get lung cancer from cigarettes blame and sometimes sue the tobacco manufacturers. People who kill in a rage blame temporary insanity. Other killers blame society or their bad childhood. The victims’ relatives also blame the gun manufacturers. People who drive drunk blame the bartenders for letting them get behind the wheel. Addicts blame the easy access to drugs for their substance abuse. The increase in youth violence is generally attributed to Hollywood and video game manufacturers (partly true), instead of parents taking their fair share of the blame. Overweight people who cannot control their appetites blame the fast-food industry for their “addiction,” and often seek huge “damage” awards through the courts.
Realize that you have been conditioned to blame others for what is your fault—and your responsibility to change. You must recognize that you live in the age when there are no longer perpetrators—unless it is someone else—but rather only “innocent victims.”
Who is to blame for all of the wrong conduct described above?
Some blame religion. Others blame Hollywood, or the decadent West. Still others point the finger at educators. Yet others claim politicians are at fault. And more and more now blame capitalism or other forms of the free market.
There is certainly plenty of blame to go around. Every institution of man has played a role in the awful and sin-filled condition of society. Terrible evils have been committed by leaders of every facet of society, and all people will answer for their part in them. God’s vengeance is real (Rom. 12:19; Deut. 32:35). Many verses reveal that His justice—described as His “judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Heb. 10:27)—will strike great numbers of unsuspecting people suddenly—severely—and soon.
But stop blaming others for wrong conduct in your life!