When we endlessly chase more, we risk overlooking the riches we already hold.
In a culture that often equates material wealth with success, it’s even more important that we challenge the celebration of consumerism.
True success should not be measured by the accumulation of possessions, but rather by the values we embody and the lives we touch. But it takes intentionality to do that—both individually and corporately.
Consumerism—the relentless pursuit of acquiring more—pervades our culture. Magazine features, social media feeds filled with luxury lifestyles, and reality TV shows glorify the lives of those who seem to have it all. This constant exposure can subtly change our understanding of what success really means, often leading us to equate it with material wealth.
However, it’s time to make a clear distinction: true success is not the same as consumeristic excess.
Here are seven reasons why we should shift our focus from praising material accumulation to celebrating more meaningful achievements:
Wealth Often Comes From Chance, Not Merit:
Wealth can result from hard work and dedication, but it can also come from inheritance, luck, or less savory means. When we celebrate wealth without understanding its origins, we risk applauding circumstances rather than genuine effort or moral achievement.
Resourcefulness Reflects Greater Wisdom Than Lavish Spending:
It’s more admirable to use resources wisely than to spend lavishly. Harvey Mackay once said, “If you can afford a fancy car, you can make more of an impact driving an ordinary one.” His statement is true. Our choices about how to use our wealth can reflect our integrity and foresight, not just our buying power.
Simplicity Leads to a Higher Quality of Life:
Owning more than we need complicates life more than it enriches it. Each new possession requires space, maintenance, and mental energy, adding stress rather than value to our lives. Recognizing this can help us see that simplicity often leads to a higher quality of life.
Excessive Consumption Harms the Environment:
It is difficult to ignore the impact our celebration of consumerism and excess has meant on the earth. Perhaps Gandhi said it best, “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” Holding up those who flaunt consumerism as an example to follow is hardly a wise decision for anyone’s future.
True Fulfillment Comes From Relationships and Purposeful Living:
The most content people are often those who focus less on accumulating things and more on living purposefully and serving others. Their lives remind us that true fulfillment comes from relationships and contributions to society, not from possessions.
Pursuing Overconsumption Robs us of Joy:
It is impossible to find peace, gratitude, and contentment while holding on to envy of those who have more. Unfortunately, we do it all the time. Admiration is a healthy emotion, but envy is not. And it is nearly impossible to appreciate the things we do have if we are constantly focused on the things we don’t.
Life’s Deepest Questions Are Not Answered by More Possessions:
The most important life questions—about purpose, fulfillment, and what it means to live well—are not answered by acquiring more possessions. These questions call for introspection and a focus on spiritual and emotional growth, rather than material gain.
Let us continue to admire and strive for success, but let us also redefine what that success looks like. It’s time to move beyond conspicuous consumerism and promote a culture that values integrity, simplicity, and generosity. In doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a healthier, more equitable society.
By redefining our measures of success, we champion a way of life that is actually worth aspiring to.