I wish more church leaders would just stand up and say, this is not right. It’s wrong.
“Man’s greed and the security he has sought in financial gain have resulted in nations turning away from God. Trusting in the acquisition of property, shares, pensions, and in the dream that ‘if I own more I will be happy’ has created a ‘more’ monster in all of us.”
“Our definition of need has been super-sized by our culture of consumption. So we think that we need not only to eat, but to eat food that we love, and preferably to eat out. We think that we not only need to be clothed, but to wear the latest fashion and have five of everything. We think we need more than just a roof over our heads. We want a bigger house, with a big yard. And the list could go on and on. We think we need multiple cars, four-wheel drive vehicles to drive on paved roads. We need all these things. Right?!…And I’ll be honest with you, when I read Jesus’ promise to provide for my needs by feeding me like a raven and clothing me like a flower, my heart doesn’t leap for joy…I feel like a sumo wrestler who has been given a salad for dinner…You see my heart and my values need to be adjusted by God’s Word. My definition of need needs to come into line with Jesus’s definition…
One of the spiritual benefits, potentially, if we seize it, we can gain during an economic recession is that as we tighten our budgets as we change our lifestyle, we can actually begin getting a clearer picture of what we actually need…Seize this as an opportunity to have your need-o-meter reset.”
If your pastor/minister has done a particularly good preach on consumerism or related issues, I’d love to know
In my daily readings I’m in the Book of Job and a fair bit of the discussion relates to wealth. Job is introduced as a phenomenally wealthy man (Job 1:3) he was a millionaire (maybe even billionaire) of his day. His wealth was a blessing from God (Job 1:10) and its removal was seen as evidence of sin. Job’s friends argue that Job’s misfortune can only be as a result of his sin and pride.
In reply Job argues that things are not so clear cut. He is innocent and now poor and in distress while many wicked men sleep easy with their ill-gotten riches. Wealth isn’t the obvious sign of God’s favour that you might think. So wealth could be a sign of blessing (Abraham, Job, Solomon) or it could not, so how do you tell? Clearly, not by looking at the wealth but by looking elsewhere for the fruit of the character and the integrity of their actions.
Yet it was the description of greed in Job 20:20 that caught my eye:
“Greedy people want everything and are never satisfied. But when nothing remains for them to grab, they will be nothing.”
In the ESV it says the greedy person ‘knew no contentment in his belly’. Deep in the gut, the one who lusts after stuff, who chases after money, who hungers continually for more, will never be satisfied. There is no enough for such people.
Today on the news I listened to the tragic story of Joan Cunnane, 77, from Stockport. A shopaholic she was found dead under a pile of unopened purchases. Crushed to death, alone in a house of things she bought but never opened. It was one of the most tragic news stories I heard. Greed crushes the soul to death, under the weight of never fulfilled desires the spirit dies. We need rescuing and salvation from greed.
So what satisifies me? What I earn? What I achieve? What I own? What I experience? When will that ever be enough? Proverbs 19:23 tells us that knowing God, fearing the Lord is the place where my soul can be satisfied, because there lies life – everything else ultimately is death to us without God, it is rotten. We should consider it rubbish, Paul argues (Php 3:8).
So, I hope I can make it a constant refrain in my heart to set my gaze upon the one who can truly satisfy, for that will be enough for me.
For my first book review of 2009 (although to be fair, I finished reading it in 2008) is Brian Rosner’s How to get really rich: A sharp look at the religion of greed published by IVP. It’s currently out of print, but if I was IVP at the very least I’d give it a makeover and reissue it quick sharpish, with a bit more thought an updated version would be even better.
Brian Rosner is currently Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Ethics, at Moore College in Australia and in his eight chapters (Unmasking Greed, Secret Idolatry, Inordinate Love, Misplaced Trust, Forbidden Service, Learning Contentment, Sharing Possessions and True Riches) – Rosner argues that greed is idolatry and the church has failed to tackle greed because most of us are guilty of it. Written in 1999 this was a book ahead of its time. Rosner pulls no punches and his biblical insights into greed are full of weight and conviction. His two key verses are Colossians 3:5 and 1 Timothy 6:6 and he unpacks them well, showing how they are integral in the biblical story and how whenever greed raises its ugly head, idolatry and straying from God is never far away. The antidote then is contentment.
For those wanting biblical insight into the nature of greed to speak into these times, this accessible and readable book is a great place to start (if you can get hold of a copy). Highly recommended.
Here’s an arresting chart from Make Wealth History and here’s an eye catching fact:
AIG spend on a luxury corporate retreat the same week as the bailout: $440,000
US food aid to Lebanon: $440,000″
Excellent value for money all round I’m sure. Read the whole thing here
“Anyway, Josh Harris from Covenant life church (CJ’s church, now led by Josh Harris) has done a 7pt series on Affluenza on his blog – check out www.joshharris.com You’ll find a link there to a sermon he did on that subject too.”
It’s a large and influential church and Josh is an influential young leader in the US so it’s good to see this issue being preached on there.
“…Christianity has insights and objectives which would improve society. One example must suffice. Our country is gripped by the culture of material greed and consumerism. Consumerism creates a selfishness in which many want to be affluent, even if this means that others are in poverty.
Jesus spoke more about the evil of greed than any other sin. He said: ‘Don’t store up treasure here on earth…wherever your treasure is, there your hearts will also be’ (Matthew 6:24) ….It seems to me that his followers must consider how Jesus’ practices, values and objectives apply to us.
God did not put us on earth to have some rich and others poor. The case for abolishing poverty and reducing inequality lies at the heart of Christianity. God created all people equal and all, therefore, have a right to his abundance.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself Bob!
I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a husband, a father, church planter, keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.
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