Mammon
Fifteen years ago, in his book Wake Up America, Tony Campolo wrote:
I've watched others who immediately must spend every penny they have, lest it burn a hole in their pocket. And they seemingly receive instant gratification once their money is spent, that lasts every so shortly.
Quick up, real quick down.
I met a lot of happy people when I lived in Brazil, and I always wondered why they were so happy? I mean, they were dirt poor - some, literally. They may have had a roof over their head, but not much else. Homes were sparse; cupboards empty. But none of that seemed to matter to them.
Why?
Because they had God. And they believed that He was their source, and that He would meet all of their needs according to His riches. Spiritually and physically. [Philippians 4:19]
Living in the "free world" has become synonymous with having consumer goods. [And] ways have been found in our consumer-oriented society to reduce spiritual hungers to emotions that can be gratified by purchasing the things being sold to us through the mass media.It always amazes me how money, or the lack of money, effects people emotionally. I have found myself getting depressed when I thought I may not be able to pay an outstanding bill. And to deal with my desperate emotions I would go shopping to feel better!
In all of this media hype, things are sold to us on the basis that our deepest emotional and psychological needs will be met by having the right consumer goods. The spiritual is being absorbed by the physical.
The fruit of the Spirit, suggests the media, can be had without God and without spiritual disciplines. It is not simply that we are materialists who crave the goods that flood our markets, but that we are now people who subconsciously have been made to believe that in these things we will find an end to the spiritual longings at the ground of our being.
I've watched others who immediately must spend every penny they have, lest it burn a hole in their pocket. And they seemingly receive instant gratification once their money is spent, that lasts every so shortly.
Quick up, real quick down.
I met a lot of happy people when I lived in Brazil, and I always wondered why they were so happy? I mean, they were dirt poor - some, literally. They may have had a roof over their head, but not much else. Homes were sparse; cupboards empty. But none of that seemed to matter to them.
Why?
Because they had God. And they believed that He was their source, and that He would meet all of their needs according to His riches. Spiritually and physically. [Philippians 4:19]
Perhaps the most evil consequence of selling consumer goods in this manner is that people like us no longer know what spiritual longings really are. We have become alienated from our real needs. Spiritual longings, which most of us can no longer even define, have come to be so identified with consumer goods that these consumer goods have taken on a quality of ultimateness for us."No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
This entry was posted
on Friday, September 01, 2006 at 12:29 AM.
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10:42 AMI've been going through an interesting season where God's showing me the degree to which we consume and the things I'm fooled into think I need. The worst part is that I, like yourself, had the experience of being removed from our N.American context and seeing what "just God" can do to list a spirit.
There was an article in yesterday's Christianity Today where a couple decided not spend ANYTHING for a whole year. They planned and bought everything at the beginning of the year and then just what they had until they ran out... then... did without. They said that missionary friends inspired them and concidered themselves financial missionaries.
The result was more family time, spending HALF of what they did the previous year, and being able to pay their bills. Honestly, what have we gotten ourselves into here???
"My hope is built on nothing than Jesus love and righteuousnes"
5:42 PM
Those who trust in the Lord are free and THIS is what makes a person happy .... freedom.
Freedom in the midst of your circumstances.
Whether you are rich or poor or just plain middle of the road ... wisdom is free in any place and culture .... it is something that no man can take from you .... even if you are imprisoned .... or living in an affluent society... :-)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Cor 3:17
There is no real liberty without the Spirit of the Lord no matter where you are.
4:12 AM
Good post Paul! It says a lot :D
2:33 PM
Hey Paul.. I am so happy to find out that you are a Christian! Woohoo! I just emailed you re: the use of your magnolia photo. Just wanted to say, "Amen, brother!"
Glad to find another believer online. :)
11:18 AM
so many thoughts i have had on this subject. one of the most recent brought back by your post is how in trusting in money and consumer goods, we are ultimately looking to man to take care of us. instead of trusting god and the abilities he gave us to use what we have around us for our care. and being satisfied with what we have instead of always needing more or different in order to satisfy.
mnwngwi
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