“Our enormously productive economy… demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction, our ego satisfaction, in consumption… We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced, and discarded at an ever increasing rate." (Victor LeBow, Retailing Analyst, 1955)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
In the last few editions of the Insight we’ve been taking a hard (and rather long) look at Consumerism. Consumerism is the culture we live in and like any culture it is hard at work, forming us into a particular kind of people; people who define freedom as virtually unlimited choice, who value instant gratification and personal pleasure above all, and who have “needs” that are virtually unlimited and unsatiable. In last month’s article we saw evidence of the way we have allowed our specifically Christian calling to be compromised by Consumerism in the areas of religion, marriage, birth, death, and how we relate to our neighbor. This month we want to look briefly at a few ways to respond.
It is clear that Consumerism trains us to be a particular kind of people with a particular set of virtues, and that a number of these virtues are directly in conflict with those we are called to cultivate as God’s people. Is it possible to cultivate both instant gratification and patience? What about instant gratification and self-control? Will goodness, kindness, and gentleness be evident in a person who values their personal freedom and pleasure above all? Can a person value their personal freedom and pleasure that highly and know anything about faithfulness or fidelity? If not, what can we do to make sure that the virtues being formed in us are in line with our calling as God’s people?
First of all, simply be aware. Be aware of what Consumerism is, and be aware of how it is impacting your life. That is what the last two articles in the Insight have been about.
Second, pursue the Secret of Contentment. In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul writes “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” What a way to live! He took seriously God’s promise to provide us with the food, clothing, and strength that we need for each day. Jesus encourages us not to worry, saying, “`What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Contentment in any situation comes from taking Jesus seriously on this, as Paul did. A very practical way of pursuing the Secret of Contentment is to make a practice of praying the Lord’s Prayer at the start of every day (Matthew 6:9-13). Asking God to “give us this day our daily bread” militates against the influence of consumerism in our lives.
Third, learn the Discipline of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not something that we do just when we “feel” thankful. Paul has some very strong words for us on this in 1 Thessalonians: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Why? Not because all our circumstances are pleasant, easy, or even good in and of themselves. Rather, this is a prophetic thanksgiving, pointing forwards to the coming of the hope in which we’ve been saved. As Paul writes earlier in the same letter, “the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” In light of this sure and certain hope, we give thanks in all circumstances. (By the way, I’m nowhere near obedience in this.)
In conclusion I want to mention one more thing: Don’t do it alone. It is ludicrous to think that, with powerful forces like the market and the media constantly encouraging us to excesses of consumption, we can resist it adequately as isolated, individual christians. He who has himself as a doctor has a fool for a doctor. We need others to tell us the truth about our spiritual health. This is especially true when it comes to our economic lives, which we tend to regard as an entirely private matter that is not subject to the scrutiny or wisdom of the community of faith. As a friend of mine once wrote to me, we seem to have a “subconscious expectation that just as we have separation of church and state, we should also have separation of church and economics.” Can we be open and honest enough to open our wallets and checkbooks in front of other, trusted Christians? Overcoming the taboo against this is necessary if we want to be formed more by our calling as God’s people than by this culture God has placed us in.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
In the last few editions of the Insight we’ve been taking a hard (and rather long) look at Consumerism. Consumerism is the culture we live in and like any culture it is hard at work, forming us into a particular kind of people; people who define freedom as virtually unlimited choice, who value instant gratification and personal pleasure above all, and who have “needs” that are virtually unlimited and unsatiable. In last month’s article we saw evidence of the way we have allowed our specifically Christian calling to be compromised by Consumerism in the areas of religion, marriage, birth, death, and how we relate to our neighbor. This month we want to look briefly at a few ways to respond.
It is clear that Consumerism trains us to be a particular kind of people with a particular set of virtues, and that a number of these virtues are directly in conflict with those we are called to cultivate as God’s people. Is it possible to cultivate both instant gratification and patience? What about instant gratification and self-control? Will goodness, kindness, and gentleness be evident in a person who values their personal freedom and pleasure above all? Can a person value their personal freedom and pleasure that highly and know anything about faithfulness or fidelity? If not, what can we do to make sure that the virtues being formed in us are in line with our calling as God’s people?
First of all, simply be aware. Be aware of what Consumerism is, and be aware of how it is impacting your life. That is what the last two articles in the Insight have been about.
Second, pursue the Secret of Contentment. In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul writes “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” What a way to live! He took seriously God’s promise to provide us with the food, clothing, and strength that we need for each day. Jesus encourages us not to worry, saying, “`What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Contentment in any situation comes from taking Jesus seriously on this, as Paul did. A very practical way of pursuing the Secret of Contentment is to make a practice of praying the Lord’s Prayer at the start of every day (Matthew 6:9-13). Asking God to “give us this day our daily bread” militates against the influence of consumerism in our lives.
Third, learn the Discipline of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not something that we do just when we “feel” thankful. Paul has some very strong words for us on this in 1 Thessalonians: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Why? Not because all our circumstances are pleasant, easy, or even good in and of themselves. Rather, this is a prophetic thanksgiving, pointing forwards to the coming of the hope in which we’ve been saved. As Paul writes earlier in the same letter, “the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” In light of this sure and certain hope, we give thanks in all circumstances. (By the way, I’m nowhere near obedience in this.)
In conclusion I want to mention one more thing: Don’t do it alone. It is ludicrous to think that, with powerful forces like the market and the media constantly encouraging us to excesses of consumption, we can resist it adequately as isolated, individual christians. He who has himself as a doctor has a fool for a doctor. We need others to tell us the truth about our spiritual health. This is especially true when it comes to our economic lives, which we tend to regard as an entirely private matter that is not subject to the scrutiny or wisdom of the community of faith. As a friend of mine once wrote to me, we seem to have a “subconscious expectation that just as we have separation of church and state, we should also have separation of church and economics.” Can we be open and honest enough to open our wallets and checkbooks in front of other, trusted Christians? Overcoming the taboo against this is necessary if we want to be formed more by our calling as God’s people than by this culture God has placed us in.
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