The Content of Our Character | The Future We Desire

By Theron J. Williams, Sr

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” — Martin Luther King Jr. (1963).

In today’s world, the pursuit of image, wealth, and status often takes center stage, overshadowing the true essence of human worth. This external focus, however, contradicts the virtuous character that Dr. King envisioned. In a society increasingly driven by consumerism and individualism, personal fulfillment is now too often measured by material success, external validation through social media likes, or the accumulation of wealth. This obsession with achievement arises from a mindset of scarcity, where satisfaction feels perpetually out of reach, creating an unquenchable thirst.

In our rush to acquire more, we neglect the deeper, more fundamental aspects of our being. An ancient warning in the Bible resonates with our current culture: “In the last days, people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:2-5, New International Version)

This passage is not merely a cautionary tale; it mirrors the world we live in—a world of scarcity, where materialism and self-centeredness dominate, leading to disconnection from one another and our true selves. In this world of "me before you," where others are seen as competitors rather than collaborators, a mindset of “if they have, I cannot” governs our actions. According to the World Bank (2018), approximately 689 million people globally lived on less than $1.90 per day in 2017, highlighting how economic deprivation exacerbates the feeling of scarcity. Despite these challenges, we can redefine what it means to live a life of abundance—rooted in love, justice, and selflessness. Dr. King’s words remind us that it is the content of our character—not the external trappings of wealth and status—that defines our true worth.

Reflective Question: Does this describe me? How does my belief system enable or unfold the passage of 2 Timothy 3:2-5?

The Contrast: From Selfishness to Selflessness

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a psychological framework that offers insight into the evolution of human motivation, tracing our journey from selfishness to selflessness. At the base of the pyramid are our most fundamental physiological needs—food, water, shelter. These needs are so essential that without them, survival itself is at risk. Imagine, for a moment, being without these basic necessities. What would you do? How would you prioritize your needs? If food, water, and shelter were inaccessible, could you even begin to think about the next levels of Maslow’s pyramid, which address safety, security, love, and esteem? Sadly, this harsh reality is true for many around the world. According to UNICEF (2020), over 2.5 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and this scarcity disproportionately affects women and children in impoverished communities.

As we climb Maslow's pyramid, the journey from mere survival to self-actualization is not always straightforward. When survival is the driving force, external symbols of success—such as wealth and status—may become the measuring sticks by which we define our lives. In many ways, this focus on survival and accumulation leads to a world where success is equated with the amassing of material goods. More possessions, more power, more status—these become the markers of achievement. However, as we become consumed by the drive for material wealth, we risk losing sight of the higher levels of fulfillment that emerge from love, connection, and contributing to the greater good. The distinction between success and good success becomes crucial here. Success driven solely by self-interest may deliver short-term gratification, but it inevitably leaves us feeling empty. As the passage from 2 Timothy warns, the pursuit of pleasure over purpose leads to destruction, both on a personal level and within society at large.

The shift toward higher levels of fulfillment requires a transformation in how we see the world and what we value. When we focus on the higher levels of Maslow's hierarchy—belonging, esteem, and self-actualization—we begin to recognize that true fulfillment is found not in what we take from the world, but in what we give to it. Research from hospice care providers reveals that as individuals near the end of their lives, many reflect not on the wealth they accumulated, but on the relationships they formed and the impact they had on others (Kubler-Ross, 1969). The content of one’s character becomes apparent not through their bank balance but through the love they shared, the justice they fought for, and the selflessness they embodied.

I recall a poignant lesson from my grandmother, who may not have left me wealth in the conventional sense, but she left something much more valuable—she left a legacy of character, wisdom, and compassion. As I continue my journey through life, it is not what she left me that shapes my path, but what she left in me that continues to guide and inspire my actions. At the pinnacle of self-actualization, we realize that it is not the material wealth we accumulate that matters most, but our ability to transcend the individual and connect deeply with our shared humanity. This understanding of purpose, when aligned with a higher power, transforms us from self-centered beings into individuals committed to the betterment of all.

By focusing on love, contribution, and justice, we can create a world where fulfillment is defined not by what we acquire, but by the lives we touch and the positive impact we have on others. As we move from selfishness to selflessness, we embrace a higher calling—one that fulfills not only our needs but also the needs of those around us.

Walking on Quicksand: Unmet Basic Needs

When basic needs are unmet, it can feel like walking on quicksand. No matter what you do, every step pulls you deeper into the dilemma. These consequences ripple throughout society. According to the World Bank (2018), approximately 689 million people lived on less than $1.90 a day in 2017, making it impossible for them to afford necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. This economic deprivation is compounded by systemic oppression and discriminatory policies that limit access to essential resources. Women and girls with disabilities face intersecting forms of discrimination, making it even harder for them to meet their basic needs, resulting in further marginalization and exclusion (UN Women, 2020).

The inability to meet basic needs creates a cascade of negative consequences:

• Health Impacts: Limited access to healthcare and nutritious food leads to higher rates of malnutrition, chronic diseases, and preventable illnesses. The World Health Organization (2005) reports that over 80% of cardiovascular disease deaths—totaling 17.5 million people globally in 2005—occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
• Educational Barriers: Children from impoverished backgrounds often lack access to quality education, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. A report by the United Nations (2020) highlights how global conflicts and climate-related emergencies significantly affect progress toward achieving education goals.
• Social Exclusion: Systemic inequities such as racism, colonialism, and class oppression create barriers to resources and opportunities. These structures of exclusion are self-sustaining without intentional intervention (Harvard, 2021).

These inequities hinder individual progress and undermine society's collective potential, preventing many from reaching higher levels of Maslow’s hierarchy and achieving self-actualization.

United We Stand, Divide We Fall: A World of Division vs. A World of Connection and Love

As the 2 Timothy passage suggests, a society consumed by self-love, materialism, and division cannot experience true fulfillment. When individualism outweighs community, and pleasure is pursued over purpose, we become disconnected from one another and the deeper wellsprings of human connection and compassion. Disconnected, we become unforgiving, treacherous, and brutal.

In contrast, a world of connection, justice, and love requires us to transcend superficial desires and move toward the higher needs that unite us as a global community. We begin to see others not as competitors but as partners in the shared human experience. In this world, we work together to ensure that everyone has access to basic needs and the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. This collective effort is what turns scarcity into abundance and division into unity. As we become lovers of humanity, we foster a compassionate and inclusive future—one where the content of our character shapes the future we desire.

The Future We Desire

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 provides a profound vision of the world as it could be—a world shaped by love, patience, kindness, and selflessness. The passage reads: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV)

In a world often driven by personal gain, competition, and an unrelenting desire for more, this scripture offers a revolutionary antidote to the selfishness and division described in 2 Timothy 3:2-5. In contrast to the materialism, pride, and self-centeredness outlined in 2 Timothy, 1 Corinthians presents an alternative path—one where love is the defining force. A love that is patient, kind, humble, and enduring. A love that transcends personal desires and seeks the good of others. This vision speaks to a future grounded not in rivalry and division but in unity, connection, and selflessness.

A Beautiful Question: What Will We Choose?

As we stand at the crossroads of two futures—the self-centered, materialistic path described in 2 Timothy and the beautiful future grounded in love, justice, and human connection—one question remains: What will we choose? Will we continue to chase fleeting pleasures, accumulating wealth and status at the expense of others, or will we choose a life of selflessness, where our worth is defined not by what we possess, but by what we contribute to the well-being of others?

The future is not inevitable; it is shaped by the choices we make today. Each of us has the power to create a world where justice, love, and human flourishing are the priorities. As Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” (King, 1963). By shifting our mindset from selfishness to selflessness, we create a future where all have access to opportunities to achieve their desired level of impact. This future will not be defined by the wealth we accumulate but by the content of our character and the value we create for others.

References

Harvard University. (2021). Social exclusion: Definitions, dynamics, and consequences. Retrieved from https://www.harvard.edu King, M. L. (1963). Strength to love. Harper & Row. Kubler-Ross, E. (1969). On death and dying. Macmillan. UN Women. (2020). Disability and gender. Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org United Nations. (2020). Progress on the sustainable development goals. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sdgs UNICEF. (2020). Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org World Bank. (2018). Poverty and shared prosperity 2018: Piecing together the poverty puzzle. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org World Health Organization. (2005). The world health report 2005: Make every mother and child count. Retrieved from https://www.who.int