The Deacons and I are studying the book, “How Much is Enough?” this year to renew and expand our understanding of biblical stewardship. Here is one excerpt:
“Loevi Keidel, missionary to the Congo, returned to the States on his first furlough in 1955. He noticed that the new status symbols were a black-and-white television and wall-to-wall carpeting in the living room. On the second furlough, it was color TV and automatic washers and dryers. On the third, dishwashers and stereo sound systems. On the fourth, recreation vehicles and backyard swimming pools. On the fifth, video cameras, satellite dishes, and personal computers.”
Just think of how many more things could be added to that list today! If we are typical American consumers, new items on the market become our desires, desires become needs, and needs become rights. In other words, it only takes a few years from when we first hear about something to the time when we feel we deserve it, we can’t imagine life without it, and we would be embarrassed not to have it. So how much is enough? Will we ever have all the stuff that will make us happy?
When you start talking about these issues of materialism and all the time we now spend on our phones in the fantasy worlds of social media, it is easy to sound like the cranky old guy who always insists life was better back in the good old days. After all, what is the alternative? Should we just become Amish and shun all technological advances, preferring to lock in a lifestyle of the past forever and declare it holy? Should we just jump off the cultural train that is accelerating into the unknown future and watch everyone else pass by?
I think we can all probably admit that we are a little bit entitled and even addicted to material things and the idea that more stuff will make us happier. We probably wouldn’t say that we believe that, but the reality of our lives backs it up. We also might be willing to admit that the time, energy, and resources we devote to stuff is hurting our relationship with God. Would you agree? But I don’t think the answer is going to be debating endlessly about which items we actually do or do not need…or how much time is appropriate in a day for “face time.” What we need is a grander vision of what will actually give us fulfillment and peace!
In “How Much is Enough?” the author points us back to the early church:
“The starting place for Christians was not the question: What do I need to give up to follow Jesus? The starting place – for them and for us – was the good news of Jesus… who offered both Jews and Gentiles a new identity as children of God. Their new status gave them a transcendent purpose – that of living to the glory of God.”
If our main goal in life is to make ourselves happy, we will try to use the stuff of this world to fill that void, and the stuff will become our idol. If our main goal in life is to glorify God in all that we do, the stuff of this world will take its proper place and become tools we can use to further the kingdom. Again, don’t start by analyzing the stuff and trying to manage your addiction. Start by setting your eyes on Christ and understanding the powerful and exciting calling He has for your life, and everything else will settle into its proper place.
Cory Grimm