christian hedonism via furniture world?

Working at the family furniture store, I get to read a lot of furniture magazines. Some of them are quite enjoyable (if you like reading about mattress marketing techniques and the latest in fabric lawsuits.)

One magazine that consistently puts out good information is Furniture World. Their latest issue has a column written by The Traffic Guys: Brett Kitchen and Ethan Kap. I've seen their ads for years in the magazines we get...but I think this is my first time reading an article they've written.

I was struck in the opening paragraphs by the hedonsitic nature that they cling to in order to make effective advertisements. Read this and tell me if it sounds familiar:

Indeed, as you think about why you buy anything, take any action, or move in a specific direction, you will probably find that it's for one reason and one reason only...your own self-interest.

... For most people, if they stop on the side of the road and help a stranger who's car is out of gas, that's not self interest right?

Well, why do we (with the exception of saints and bodhisattvas) do such a thing in the first place? Of course we stop because we want to help, but deep down it's because helping that person is going to make us feel better, it's going to do something for us emotionally. Plus, not stopping is going to make us feel guilty.

So deep down, whether it's to make us feel good or avoid feeling of guilt, we are doing those things that will ultimately serve us.

These guys are serious about using this drive to get people in the doors of stores...and another fellow is serious about this drive in the world of Christendom.

John Piper has coined the phrase "Christian Hedonism" to help us understand that it is not bad to want to be joyful in something, but the only thing that can make us truly joyful and happy is Jesus Christ.

In his own words, "We all make a god out of what we take the most pleasure in. Christian Hedonists want to make God their God by seeking after the greatest pleasure—-pleasure in him."

Now, whether or not the Traffic Guys are Christians...I have no idea. But I do know that their idea of what drives people is well-known and can be used to make God look glorious.

Take pleasure in Christ and Him alone and become a Christian Hedonist today.

-joe