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JUNE 8
CONSUMERISM
“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.”
(Proverbs 15: 16)
The word “consumerism” has various definitions. What I’d like to
reflect on today is “consumerism” in the sense of “a frivolous and selfish
preoccupation with the buying of consumer goods in excess of our basic
needs.” I become afflicted with “consumerism” when I cease to lead a
God-centered life and when I focus, instead, on extrinsic motivations, like
the way I look, and how my appearance compares with the appearance of
others. This kind of “consumerism” has to do with a lack of humble selfacceptance,
as well as the anxiety, frustration, and envy that comes with
this lack of self-acceptance.
It is difficult today to abstain from buying needlessly, when
advertisements are practically everywhere I look. So I need God’s help
and grace to maintain sane spending habits. Today let me slow down a
bit, and dedicate some time to heartfelt contact with Him, that I might
see myself, and accept myself, as He does; as His child, with one primary
purpose of growing in Him. Let me let God liberate me from the fears of
human opinion, which might drive me to acquire “wealth with turmoil.”
Today I will be gratefully content with “a little,” with the liberating “fear
of the Lord.”
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