Consumerism and Contentment

I wanted to share some of my thoughts and questions with you. . . . .

Recently I've really been convicted about consumerism. I have noticed how often I want stuff. I seem to always have a mindset that "if I just had THAT, then life would be better." This applies mainly to clothes, but some other things as well. I see people around me with lots of nice things, and it makes me want more and more. These thoughts made me feel uneasy. The society that we live in is so saturated with consumerism. Everywhere we look, someone is trying to sell something to us. They make it seem like having more will make us happier. It's so hard to be content with what we have because of these constant bombardments.

Along with all these thoughts about consumerism, my eyes have been opened more to poverty. In my American Schools class we have been talking about poverty and the struggles associated with it. We also learned that being impoverished doesn't always have to deal with your finances. You can be lacking emotional support, health, role models, or a purpose in life and be "in poverty." It made me think that people who are financially poor may not be emotionally poor; they may be joyful and content with their life.

Another experience that made me think about poverty is packing a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. This is a ministry where you pack a shoebox with toys, school supplies, and hygiene products for a little boy or girl. After being checked through, a gospel storybook in a child's native language is put in each box. Then the boxes are shipped around the world to kids in need. I really wanted to be a part of this, because I have more than enough, and this could be the ONLY gift that this child gets. Thinking of the children that the boxes are going to was sobering. I had been worried about how much the toys and stuff would cost, but then I realized. I should be willing and eager to "overspend" on this gift! Who cares if I spent more than I had planned on spending, these toys and supplies are going to a child who NEEDS this. Their access to this kind of stuff is much more limited than mine. More importantly, they get to hear about a God who loves them unconditionally and who can conquer ALL their problems, What better gift than Jesus Christ?

All of these thoughts left me with questions, discouragement, and hope. . . How do I give up my desire to want more? How do I decide what to spend my money on? What can I do to live a life free of jealousy? As a college student I don't have endless resources to get more and more. I HAVE to stay on a budget. This attitude of consumerism is contrary to what God tells us. I want to have an attitude on spending that aligns with God's Word.

While searching through the Bible for some wisdom on this topic, I found these verses:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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. Philippians 4:11-13

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

The theme of these verses is that I can be content in Christ, because He is all I need. When I become wrapped up in money and possessions my focus shifts from on Jesus to on myself. I don't want to be wrapped up in myself, but in Christ! I want to strive to use my resources to further the kingdom of God and not my personal happiness.

I hope that my thoughts provoked some searching of your own. Is this a topic that you struggle with? How have you combated the world's lies about consumerism and contentment?