More than 100 years ago, a philosopher at Harvard University in the U.S.A. wrote a book entitled The Philosophy of Loyalty. In his book, Josiah Royce explored the reasons why simply existing — being fed, housed, kept safe and alive — are empty and meaningless to human beings. It is true that we need all of those things, but he found that a basic human need was to have a cause beyond ourselves. There is no reason to believe that he was a true Christian, so that the causes for him were multiple — one’s family, one’s country, an important principle, a building project, or even the care of a pet. He used the term “loyalty” to describe a cause beyond ourselves, and in ascribing value to that cause, we are willing to sacrifice for it and find meaning in our lives.
As natural human beings, we tend to put ourselves first — our existence, our pleasures, our needs. But carried to an extreme, this makes us very unhappy, for the person who is occupied with himself is never happy for very long. The interesting conclusion to which Royce came was that the cause outside of ourselves need not, in itself, produce what the world calls happiness; often the sacrifice may rather produce pain. But the cause gives meaning to our life and produces satisfaction, if not happiness. Many have found this out, even apart from Christianity.
John D. Rockefeller
John D. Rockefeller Sr. made a fortune in business, but by the time he was in his early fifties, his health had broken, he had lost all his hair and even his eyebrows, and he could eat only bread and milk. Every newspaper in the U.S.A. had his obituary ready to run, for they expected him to die in a short time. But then he began to use his vast fortune for others; he felt the joy of a cause outside of himself. He built libraries, high schools, and universities, funded medical research, and supported many other good projects. His health returned, and he lived to the ripe old age of 98.
“the Lights Turned on”
More recently, a doctor by the name of Bill Thomas introduced animals (cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and laying hens) into the lives of nursing home residents in New Berlin, New York, U.S.A. He also introduced live indoor plants, a vegetable and flower garden, and an after-school program for children, connected to the nursing home. The effect on residents was dramatic, for it was they who took on most of the care of all these things. They now had an interest outside of themselves. The need for medication decreased by 60%, the number of deaths fell by 15%, and as one observer put it, “The lights turned back on in people’s eyes.”
The Meaning of Life
Many hundreds of years before, in the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon explored the question of the meaning of life, looking with all his human wisdom. Although he is forced to conclude over and over again, “All is vanity,” yet he ends up by directing our thoughts outside of ourselves. “Moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge” (Eccl. 12:99And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. (Ecclesiastes 12:9)), and then, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments” (Eccl. 12:1313Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)). Even without an eternal view, the responsibility to others and to God Himself was felt.
As Solomon himself recognizes, man was made for eternity, not merely for time. “He hath set the world [eternity] in their heart” (Eccl. 3:1111He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)), he tells us. Thus a reference merely to that which is “under the sun” will not answer the longing of man’s heart, for he longs for more. A cause outside of himself in this world may sustain him for a time, but then there is always the thought that eventually “I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool?” (Eccl. 2:18-1918Yea, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2:18‑19)). Another may well squander what we have worked so hard to achieve. What then is the answer?
The Light of Christianity
Under the full light of Christianity, we can find a meaning to all of our existence in this world, even in the most menial and commonplace tasks of everyday life. These duties may be repetitive and sometimes difficult, yet God has given us the supreme object outside of ourselves — a risen Christ in glory. When our blessed Lord was about to ascend to glory, He could say to His disciples, “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you” (John 20:2121Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21)). He has left us here to look after His interests in this world and to do all to His glory. Paul could say to the Corinthians, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). We notice that this includes such necessary and repetitive actions as eating and drinking; it is all to be done for One outside of ourselves. Here is a motive higher than anything else, transcending a principle, a human hero, a country, or anything else in this world. God has set before us the inestimable privilege of serving Him down here, and it is often in the situations of everyday life that He is most glorified.
Paul’s Instruction to Slaves
The epitome of all this is seen in Paul’s instruction to slaves in the Roman world — those whose lives belonged completely to a worldly master, and most likely to one who was not a believer. Yet Paul could tell them the same thing he told the Corinthians, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men ... for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-2423And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23‑24)). The earthly master might give the commands and assign the job, yet they were to do it “as to the Lord.” What an uplifting thought! If the Lord Himself were to ask us to do something difficult or tedious, would we not readily do it for the One who loved us and gave Himself for us? Even so we are to regard all of our duties down here as if they were done for Him.
Eternal Reward
More than this, there is not merely temporal joy in our hearts when we have Christ before us in everyday life. No, there is also eternal reward. In the same verse, Paul reminds those slaves that “of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance” (Col. 3:2424Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:24)). The inheritance is all created things, and one day we shall share it with Christ. If we find ourselves in a humble position down here, having little or nothing in this world, we can rest assured that one day we will own it all with Christ; it will be His reward for faithfulness in our everyday responsibilities down here. Nor is there any chance of someone’s spoiling our work, for what is done for Christ, according to God’s Word, will last for all eternity. “He that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:1717And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. (John 2:17)). Solomon feared that those who came after him might not value his work, but God will give a reward that is for all eternity.
But all this can be only if we accept our circumstances from the Lord and walk in His strength. Human energy will break down, but the enjoyment of Christ in our hearts will not only give us a cause outside of ourselves, but also an Object that fills our hearts. Christ will fill our hearts for all eternity; surely He is able to fill them now!
W. J. Prost