Affluenza: The All Consuming Epidemic was written by John DeGraaf, David Wann, and Thomas Naylor (Berrett-Koehler, San Francisco: 2001). It was originally an adaptation of two PBS television documentaries by the same name that used the metaphor a disease to address the materialism and consumerism of contemporary culture. Once again, it is not on my every year reading list because of it's clear spiritual content or underpinning. Rather, it's an honest assessment of the financial sickness that seems to possess so many Americans today. What impressed me most about the material is the way the authors authenticate their assumptions with facts. On the other hand, there are several Bible references in the background that give the insights some credibility for people like me. Therefore, this very insightful book is useful as a ministry resource.
Once again, it tackles the biblical themes of wealth and stuff in a creative manner. The medical metaphor is compelling and easily draws the reader into the process. There are sub-divisions on Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Affluenza. The Causes section opens in Chapter 15 with a Scripture quotation from 1 Timothy 6:7-10, the section about the love of money being the root of all evil. This was an eye-opener for me, knowing that the PBS people would have permitted this kind of spiritual value to be included in their assessment of culture. The Chapter title, Original Sin, means that the authors realize the underlying heart issues involved in the economic condition of the nation.
The Treatment section contains recommendations about attending church groups in financial training and implementing the tithe as a method of handling personal money issues with intergrity. There are also chapters on preserving the environment, how to live socially and financially responsible lives, and ways to simplify life. There's are several assessment inventories to assist in diagnosing affluenza and other financial ills, like credit card over-use, planned purchasing, retirement planning, and many other very practical matters related to living financially responsible lives.
Of course, the factual data presented in their findings changes with every day. But, the trends they identify and predict are accurate, and their assessment of the epidemic is still spot on. The statistical material is useful even though somewhat dated. But, the most stirring thing about this book is the creative way the material is organized and presented, the compelling way the information is arranged, and the manner in which their conclusions reflect the wisdom and truth of Scripture.
So, in a few weeks, I'm going to read this one again, as in the past five or six years. It informs, inspires, and instructs in an area where most of us have a hard time relating the truth of Scripture to the cultures in which we live.
That we cannot serve God and mammon is a core belief on my evangelical faith. Jesus said it, I believe it. These authors said it too in Chapter 15, on page 126. Their ideas and conclusions are generally consistent with my faith, and I appreciate the cool way they packaged this great material.
So, take a read. You'll be glad you did.
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