Let's start with the easiest question. According to the dictionary, materialism is a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things. But what does it mean? In essence it is a focus on things instead of ideas. Of course some people have their own definitions. Andrei Platonov for example, said that "Happiness will come from materialism, not from meaning," while according to Doug Horton, "Materialism is the only form of distraction from true bliss."However, I think that Adam Sedgewick described it best, when he said that "A cold atheistical materialism is the tendency of the so-called material philosophy of the present day." Materialism is the tendency of today's philosophy.
A book I once read stated that "if people bought only what they needed, world trade would collapse." World trade is only one small example of the influence of materialism in this world. It is because of materialism that we can travel around the world in a week-without it, we would have far less reason to make faster and faster vehicles. Of course, without the materialistic mindset, there would not be such things as Foie gras or Caviar, for which geese and fish would be thankful. Materialism is why Capitalism works and Socialism does not-because people are greedy, they try to get more and more. Of course, it is also why there is such a divide between the rich and the poor.
Materialism is so ingrained into our lives that our culture itself is shaped by it. The Game of Life, for example, is about having the most money at the end of the game. So is Monopoly, although at the end of that all losers have nothing. Even Risk is materialistic-your goal is to own the world. Game shows, too, are shaped by materialism-even their names(Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Greed). Materialism is so powerful that there's a song called "Material Girl." None of this is inherently bad, unless materialism itself is. Is it?
Proverbs 15:27 says that "Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live." In Mark 8:36, Jesus asks, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" In Luke 11:39, He names it together with wickedness. Paul lists greed as something to avoid in 1 Corinthians 5. Much of the teaching in the Bible is about greed and money. All of it seems to put Materialism firmly in the category of "bad stuff." so what should we do about greed? My suggestion: follow the teaching found in Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
That's a good word, right there.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of Bible verses, you have a good selection and a good number.
I do feel, though, that the message gives more information than teaching. You lay down all the data, but don't expand on it as much as you could. There's potential for maybe an example of how to lay down greed, or a testimony from a time you (or someone else) did and reaped blessings.