Thoughts
on Materialism
We
are quickly approaching Black Friday, a day many look forward to with eagerness
and yet a day many dread. The commotion of this particular day and the rush to
begin it earlier and earlier each year to the point or now opening stores on
Thanksgiving Day, a day really meant for family, speaks volumes to where our
culture is. In one word, we are materialistic. Our society is perhaps the most
materialistic to ever exist. We are consumers to our very core. How then should
Christians respond to this norm? I have a few thoughts on the very subject of
materialism.
1. Material possessions in and of
themselves are not wrong. Scripture does not ever say that
material possessions or financial gains in and of themselves are wrong. We are
told that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but
this does not mean money absolutely prevents the rich man from doing so. It
simply means it is more difficult. There are two approaches here. 1) Many will
take one extreme and argue that money is not wrong at all even to the point of
writing off Jesus’ words. 2) Others will say that money is absolutely wrong and
the cause of sin. Neither is true though. Does money make it difficult to honor
God? Yes. Absolutely. No doubt at all, and to deny so is to deny the words of
Christ. However, is money wrong in and of itself? No. Absolutely not, and to
deny so is also to deny the words of Christ. The happy medium is to learn to
honor God with what we have and be content in what he has given us. Don’t seek
anything more and don’t make it a priority or point of focus. He takes care of
his children. Material possessions and financial gains in and of themselves are
not wrong.
2. Materialism is sinful; it is
idolatry. Materialism is a large focus and desire for money
and/or material possessions. This is absolutely wrong. It is, in fact, idolatry,
for in focusing on material possessions, we put manmade objects before God
himself. Many write this off and make feeble attempts at lying to themselves,
forcing themselves to believe that their materialism does not hinder their
relationship with God. Sometimes we even pass it off on God. “Well, God has
just blessed me.” The truth is that most of us passed blessed a long time ago,
and we’re now spoiled, and with our lying tongue, we profess that these are
just material possessions and mean nothing to us because God is priority in our
lives while deep in our hearts, we know it isn’t true. Materialism is
absolutely sin.
3. Pride is at the root of materialism. Like
any other sin, pride is at the root of materialism. It is us thinking we have
the right to those things. We’ve worked hard for it right? I have a degree that
demands a lot of money so I deserve it. This is pride whether we admit it or
not, and God is not honored in it. We even do this in the church. We look for
the brightest and best stars from our seminaries to “lead us in the way of
truth.” Who has a PhD, and who is the most well-trained? This should be
irrelevant. Training is good, but when we seek worldly things and credentials above
the will of God, it is wrong. Pride is at the very root of materialism. The
truth is that we deserve nothing no matter what education we have, how much
money we have, how much money our family has, our lifestyle growing up, and our
standing in our communities. If we do not cut pride out of our lives,
materialism will only grow.
4. Materialism is not wise.
Even apart from the biblical principles here, materialism is just not wise. How
often do we see materialism succeed? It is rare, and the truth is that even
when it seems materialism succeeds, there is an ugly underbrush we likely do
not see. This is why CEOs of fortune 500 companies commit suicide, rich people
go into large amounts of debt, and businesses get into legal trouble for unethical
violations. Materialism will cause our character to greatly diminish. It is
just not wise.
While material
possessions are not wrong in and of themselves, materialism certainly is, and
we as Christians should be very cautious of the pride in our lives that could
easily lead to a materialistic lifestyle and attitude. We are called to honor
God and to serve him alone no matter what the cost. As a minister of the
gospel, I constantly remind myself that ministry is done with no thought of
return. While we are not perfect, God is, and when he cuts pride out of our lives,
his perfection can be revealed in a magnificent way. Let’s strive for humility,
not materialism.
