Living in a Consumer Driven Society

Daily Bible Reading: Day 262

Field of Flowers- Deb Davis, Glacier National Park 2014

Psalms and Wisdom
Psalm 48

Pentateuch and History
2 Samuel 8

Chronicles and Prophets
Ezekiel 8

Gospels and Epistles
Luke 12:13-48

 Luke 12:13-48  is just jam packed with things to take note of.  I would encourage you to take a moment and read the whole thing.  (Just click on the reference and the passage will pull up.) This is a glimpse of what is tugging at my heart and mind this morning.

And he (Jesus) said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” -Luke 12:15 (ESV)
Jesus goes on to tell them the parable of the rich man.  This is how it ends: "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”  I am busy considering a facelift for our house-painting and refinishing cabinets, that sort of thing.  It seems everyday we are bombarded with ads trying to convince us that we need to "upgrade."  This time of year we are even being sold the idea that we need new furniture to host our holiday gatherings.  You wouldn't want to entertain people in your home with last years table or sofa!  Such a throw-away, consumer society we have become.  And as good citizens it is our duty to shop they tell us to keep the economy strong.  Our Mini Cooper was just two years old when the dealer started to send us offers to replace it.  They would buy back ours and let us drive off the lot with a brand new one, and our payments would stay the same.  Forever in debt.  We opted to pay it off and it is still a great little car that gets us where we need to go five years later.  I am even okay with the couple of little hail dents in the roof.  

I have a lot of stuff, and as a quilter I am an accumulator of all kinds of gadgets and fabric that help me make better use of my quilting time and talents.  There is nothing wrong with that.  The question this raises for me is: do I need the Keurig when my French press makes a perfectly fine cup of coffee just because it is all the rage right now?  

But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!  And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. -Luke 12: 28-32 (ESV)


I love that last verse-Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  I am not here to build my own little kingdom on earth.  It would pale in comparison to what God has already prepared for me.  In fact, it would be a miserable failure of a kingdom.


Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Debra