Sabbath: The Influence of Materialism
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Read for This Week’s Study: 1 John 2:16-17; Luke 14:26-33; Luke 12:15-21; Deut. 8:10-14; 1 Tim. 6:10; John 15:5; Gal. 2:20.
Memory Text: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2, NKJV).
The Word of God tells His people not to “be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2, NKJV), but the lure of materialism, the inordinate desire for wealth and for what we think wealth can bring, is powerful. Very few people, whether rich or poor, are beyond the reach of materialism.
This includes Christians as well.
Nothing is wrong with being rich, or even working hard to get ahead in order to provide comfortably for yourself and your loved ones. But when money, or the pursuit of money, becomes all-encompassing, we have fallen into the devil’s trap and have, indeed, become “conformed to this world.”
The world conveys the idea that the good life, the abundant life, can be found only in money. But money is one mask that Satan hides behind in order to secure our allegiance. Materialism is one of Satan’s weapons of choice against Christians. After all, who doesn’t like money and what money can bring us in the here and now? Its greatest achievement is instant gratification, but in the end it cannot answer our deepest needs.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 6.
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Having a browse through today's lesson I see that materialism is presented in terms of "the inordinate desire for wealth and for what we think wealth can bring" via "money, or the pursuit of money" becoming "all-encompassing".
If I consult a dictionary, I find that materialism is actually a much broader concept: "A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values".(English Oxford living Dictionary)
I wonder whether this broader conceptualisation of materialism might help me uncover far more subtle expressions of materialism which may otherwise go undetected - or even be 'sanctioned' by Christianity - but which may be toxic to my spiritual walk?
For example, could being raised under the "Protestant work ethic" have led me to develop a subtle and almost undetectable degree of self-reliance upon my ability to provide for my material needs (and that of my family/others) believing that in doing so I am being a responsible Christian? If so, have I in fact been conformed to the pattern of this world even though I thought I was doing the right and responsible thing?
Hi Phil,
I do believe that God expects us to work to support ourselves as well as others around us who are in need.
In the book of Job we see that he was wealthy, blessed by God (with work) we also find recorded that there was not a widow, in his neck of the woods, that was not taken care of 🙂
Scanning the laws of Moses, we see that all had to work to eat as we see from the account of Ruth, who gleaned from the field of Boaz, to support both she and Naomi.
Looking at Paul, we see that he worked as a tent maker, to earn a living, even though he was entitled to payment from the church.
The problem obviously arises when one is selfish with what one earns or "owns" as everything in fact, belongs to God, so it's important to remember that 🙂
Phil I would give the author credit for the correct defination. You have to have wealth to consider possessions more important than a relationship with Christ. Nothing is free. The accquiring of possitions requires money whether large or small. "Very few people whether poor or rich, are beyond the reach of materialism." Looking at it on a positive light, I hold two jobs to support my family and am still NOT caught grasping materialism. How, I spend 30 minutes in the AM, and 30 in the PM with prayer and supplication giving thanks and asking for a moral and spiritual life. Phillipians 4:6. God gives me peace promised. Isaiah 26:3. How, my mind is kept on Him by recieting memorized Bible text, keeping a hymn on my heart, and prayer through out the day. Materialism also fades as I help others, "ye have helped the least of these My people, ye have helped me. Matthew 25:40.
Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
In need or plenty where is the focus?
I have learned
I have learned the secret
Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit.
It's quite hard for now for us because we're already conformed to the world.
Things like;our environment,morals.
It's high time we change to the standard GOD has set for us.
The question arises in my mind when I read the the lesson today, "Who is my employer"? Is God my employer or have I chosen another? If God is the employer, how do I know what my job is and how do I get paid?
I found the answer in Matt. 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Seeking formost His Kingdom allows His Spirit to take charge of my motivation for thoughts and feelings and to give me the thoughts and feelings of God.
Seeking His Righteousness is to seek the right thing to do NOW. He says if we seek we will find.
"All these things" are the things we need to live a fruitful life. What more do we need? What more could we want as we are motivated by His Love?
I decided to take these words of Jesus to heart and go forward this way over 25 years ago and I have not been disappointed in His leadership and His care for me and my family. True, it has been different from what I would have ended up with, but I have not had to be an anxious for my living because God is in charge and He Loves me and those associated with or dependent on me.
God is good and can be trusted with our lives.
Bro Phil
In answer to your question - reading the third paragraph of today's lesson should help make things clearer.
God winks at our ignorance (see Acts 17:30.) When God sheds light on how we can improve on serving Him we should with His help make the necessary changes.
Thanks for your response Betty. God has indeed shed light on how I can be more free to serve him more fully and by His help changes are taking place.
We should be careful not to let the influences of the world get to us lest we should be found wanting. Therefore we must always look upon Jesus in that way we will eliminate such temptation and pressures.
Talking about the depth of the toe-hold the devil has with materialism being one of his tools. This is from a philosophy reading we had in class: The effects of materialism are similar to brainwashing.
They have undermined any personal responsibility by claiming that thought is dictated biologically and by environment. A materialistic society can be especially effective if it is a governmental tenet as well. For instance, some of the oppressed countries under the strictest rule of Communism (spawned from materialism) mandated its citizens to disband all formal and public forms of Spiritual worship. Although Russia allowed certain church traditions, worship was highly discouraged. China went so far as to say that teaching children of God and Spirituality was child abuse. Materialism and Spirituality are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum, like good and evil.
Materialism is sin and its effects are sin.
In several definitions of "materialism" the best definition I found references that it represents a person’s concern over the loss of possessions and a desire for greater control of ownership. Imagine that, "a desire for greater control of ownership" of on something that does not belong to us anyway. It all belongs to God.
Definitely brainwashing!
You are so right Nelson.
Brainwashing/conditioning is the vehicle that is intentionally used by marketing agencies (and has been for decades now) to create a consumer appeal and mentality.
And then there are wider business and governmental influences also supporting development of the conceputalisation of ourselves as consumers. Earlier in my lifetime I lived in what was called a 'society' and I was considered to be a 'citizen'. Now I live in what is called a 'global economy' and I am apparently nothing more than a 'consumer' (and a 'human resource' to be used to support the economy).
Consumerism and materialism have become in essence an alternative 'system' to spirituality/religion as you rightly acknowledged. However, while they should represent polar opposites, in actuality there is a lot of blending of the two in current Christian belief and practice.
The devil has absolutely developed a toe-hold! My hope is that this quarter's lesson will help us become more aware of this and motivate us to unite with God in being transformed by the renewal of our minds (including our emotional attachments) so that we can learn to live a different way and in doing so display to others a better alternative.
We are told to "seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other things that we need will be added onto us" because the Father knows all that we are in need of.
If we trust God's word we may gain contentment.