Friday, November 23, 2007

consumerism

Today is traditionally a big day of shopping here in the United States, the day following our Thanksgiving Day. It is fun to go out shopping, though I definitely am not a shopper. I do like to try to find something I like to wear. But above all, and this leaves everything out in the cold for me, I love to be turned loose in a good bookstore or with money to order good books, or a good book or two (budget always a factor for us).

Consumerism comes with the idea of negative connotations, though to sell and buy is just a part of life. It is when all our lives revolve around buying and selling that it can become, like anything else, idolatrous. As Jesus tells us, We cannot serve both God and Mammon/Money.

Let's enjoy good things, but lets keep our focus on where it belongs: our new life in Jesus. A new way, the way of being restored to true humanity, in which nothing replaces the centrality of relationship and relationships in our lives.

What words might you share on this big (in more ways than one) subject?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

our new life in Jesus. A new way, the way of being restored to true humanity, in which nothing replaces the centrality of relationship and relationships in our lives.

i like this thought, brother.

we can seek what God gives to us freely...through us and through others. it is free to us! praise God!

1. giving - giving what we have to those in need. our self, attention, time, money, things...etc.

2. receiving - receiving what others have to offer, in a humble and gracious way, as a gift from God.
(even if it is something that we do not think that we need or want to hear)

God works through us in ways that we do not always see right away or sometimes i think even at all. so we must live in faith and seek to please God by acting in Love.

preacherman said...

Amen brother.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Thanks so much for your good and kind- as always words. Yes, we need to challenge each other in encouraging ways, like with our words, as you do, and how we live. We need God's grace and the Spirit and God is always there for us- and together.

Preacherman,
Thanks, brother, and hope you are feeling well during this weekend, and continue to be on the mend. My prayers are with you for the Lord's grace and healing.