There is a new religion in America. There are many people who are joining this new religion but they don’t even know it. They are being proselytized. They are giving countless hours of their time and thousands of their dollars towards the perpetuation of it. Some have even gone into debt in faithful support.
The American government has see the benefit of this religion. The government has endorsed this religion and encouraged the citizenry to whole-heartedly embrace it. There are tax breaks and benefits given in the name of this religion.
Worship centers have been built throughout the country. The parking lots are full not just on Sunday morning, but every day of the week. During the most sacred times of the year, people will fight over parking spots just for the privilege to participate in worship. On some occasions people will even sleep outside and overnight in a line just to get in.
Its message is seen on TV and internet. It’s everywhere you look. It promises happiness and fulfillment. It gives an answer to your lack of contentment. It offers to provide what is missing in your life and to fix what is broken.
It is the religion of consumerism. So many of us have literally bought into the message, but have little show for it. We have all this stuff in our lives, but we are no happier than before. There is always the promise that this next latest and greatest thing will provide the answer to our need, but it always comes up lacking. The promises are hallow.
We are led to believe that abundance of possessions equals abundance of life. But nothing could be further from the truth. The influence of consumerism has tainted our the church in America. Our life and our faith is about more than the abundance of our possessions. God gives us money and possessions as a means to an end. He gives them to us to provide for our needs and for the work of his kingdom. He do not give us money and possessions as an end unto themselves.
Luke 12:15 (ESV)
And 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.”
In another place in Scripture Jesus said there is only one thing needful.
Luke 10:41–42 (ESV)
You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.
For many of us we shake our head in agreement. We declare Jesus is the only thing we need, but live worried about our possessions and so many other things.
Our current message series is called Money Matters. It is all about letting go of our attachment to our stuff. Our stuff hinders our relationship with God, it robs us of fulfilling relationships with friends and family, and it constrains our ability to serve God’s kingdom.
It’s time to let go of the religion of consumerism. This Sunday we will look at how consumerism manufactures covetousness in our hearts and leads us away from true riches. We will consider ways we might over come the influence of consumerism with the help of Jesus. We look forward to seeing you at 8am and 10:30am on Sunday morning.
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