Consumerism and idolatry

In an article for Leadership Journal last year, Skye Jethani makes an important distinction between consumption and consumerism —

Christian critiques of consumerism usually focus on the dangers of idolatry—the temptation to make material goods the center of life rather than God. This, however, misses the real threat consumerism poses. My concern is not materialism, strictly speaking, or even the consumption of goods—as contingent beings, we must consume resources to survive. The problem is not consuming to live, but rather living to consume.

The rest of the article is worth reading as he not only points out that a natural product of living to consume is living to shop — the number one leisure activity of Americans. And that priority then overflows into another favored pasttime for American Christians — shopping for church. It's an article worth reading as we consider the implications of our attraction to money and possessions.

Sunday Leftovers (8/12/07)

In "How Much is Enough?" Al Mohler demonstrates the cultural bias towards a preoccupation with and dependence on material goods and wealth as god. That theology constantly bombards our souls and is dangerous for both us and our children.

So, here are some random thoughts as I reflect on yesterday's sermon and think about how to shepherd our children through such a twisted web of thinking:

• Like all temptation, material goods and wealth make a "promise" of the good life which they are wholly unable to provide.
• Better to give to much than too little.
• Not only can material goods not be taken into glory, but moths and rust will destroy most of what we possess long before we even get to glory.
• When making purchases, learn to ask, "If I purchase this, will I possess it, or will it possess (control) me?"
• Having money is not an intrinsic evidence of God's blessing (and neither is not having money).
• It is just as possible to be poor and greedy as rich and greedy.
• Biblically, debt is only that obligation which I cannot repay; however, even debt that is within our means to repay will generally be an impairment to joy and the ministry of giving.
• Give God your life before you give Him your money (2 Cor. 8:5).