Consumerism – You don’t need more stuff to feel better

Have you ever watched an old TV advertisement? It’s twenty years ago and the most desired item in the world is dangled before you. You need this. You want this. Without this, you’re nothing. But you’re worth it. Get it. Go into debt for it. You’ll only be special with this; get it now. What happened to all those must-have products of the past? They’re trash today. Mountains of rubbish. Heaps of rusty, broken and unloved merchandise.

Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses”

– Luke 12:15

The products an entire generation lusted for are now worthless. If you want a wake-up call to eternity, go look at a mountain of trash. Visit a scrapyard and think, “This is what millions gave their soul for. Their marriages failed, their children felt unloved, money was their master and hell awaits them.”

Satan urges us to give our most valuable commodity – time – in exchange for stuff. We are told we all need abundant possessions. Lots of it. More of it. Without this, who will respect me? How can I be accepted without this? Give me more. And more. And more.

Jesus taught you are more than what you own. Generation after generation gave 24/7 to gain more. Almost everything previous ages sacrificed their lives for is gone. Your soul is eternal. Your life is valuable beyond possessions.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

– Matthew 6:19-21

You don’t need more stuff to make you feel better. Your value was settled at Calvary. The price paid for you is your value. Jesus’ blood tells you how much you are worth. Think about it. Dwell on the extent God went to redeem and love you.

We need some things, but not everything. When you know deep down your value in Christ, you can be free from consumerism. You don’t need more junk to feel better. You need to ‘know’ Christ’s love for you, as you let His peace sink deep into your soul. Children of kings and queens know their value because of their birth. You were born again into the Kingdom of God. Your value is set in stone. Find your worth in Christ.

By Paul Backholer. Find out about Paul’s books here.