"Purposeful effort comes to mean, primarily, effort directed to or resulting in a more creditable showing of accumulated wealth." - Thorstein Veblen
Reading this quote leaves me feeling empty inside. The premise of the statement is that all efforts in life are directed towards showing off ones accomplishments. The ideal likens to the "keep up with the Joneses" mindset; life is a continual competition where we constantly try to one-up our peers. I'd like to believe that although maybe society's primary concern is living the "leisure life", that individuals are motivated by more than just a selfish, base desire to show-off their wealth and accomplishments.
Assuming that all purposeful effort is directed towards ostentation produces a plethora of unpleasant consequences. Every good deed done is undermined by the knowledge that the root of the action was not in helping the individual or the positive results, but rather in selfishness in order to advance oneself. In this scenario, ethics evaporate. Life becomes all about what makes me happy and will push me into more wealth and success. Anything is a reasonable means of accomplishing this end with that assumption. Or, if some beneficiary effort was made that in no way benefitted the person doing it, the act would have to be classified as "un-purposeful." How then can we explain the gift of salvation? An unintentional effort made to save humanity from eternal damnation? Or was it to somehow how Christ's wealth, therefore debasing His entire character as a loving, gracious God?
I believe that effort can and should be purposefully put into actions and services that do not end in accumulating wealth for the person or showing off their accomplishments. Yes, it is nice to have some affirmation about what you are doing, and it is pleasant to own nice things (especially when you work hard to get them), but think about the rewards of going on a mission trip or doing a random, anonymous act of kindness for someone. Success can be measured by more than just wealth, and happiness is certainly not dependent upon it. So my suggestion is not forget about trying to get the newer version of your friend's iPod or having a garage that fits one more car than your neighbors, such efforts are futile. Like we studied in Ecclesiastes, it is all smoke and will not come with you into eternity, and such pursuits will never give you fulfillment or happiness. Instead, drop everything and follow Jesus like a disciple, do not make the mistake of the rich, young ruler in Mark 10. God promises rewards in eternity that will far outshine anything you could ever accumulate here on earth, anyways. So stop being a show-off, and allow sincere love motivate your efforts. It feels nice when I stop thinking about myself once in a while.
