Consumerism vs. Contentment

Boxes, price-tags, clothes, toys, and household items lined hallways, laundry room, and many corners of my house. Ads were placed in newspaper, signs were posted on telephone poles, and notices to neighbors wishing to participate in my garage sale were taken mailbox to mailbox. Weeks of preparation were invested. Why on earth had I agreed to do this?

I decided I would add to the list of reasons why to not lay up treasures on earth—where moth and rust destroy, thief steals, and so you won’t have to have a garage sale!

I combed through and priced each and every item. There was close to five years worth of stuff to work through. I put out of mind any thought of how much money I had originally spent on all these things. It would be too depressing, not to mention the time I had to take from my already busy schedule to pull off this sale. Time and money/money and time—two things I always seem to be lacking.

Why did I think I had to have all these things in the first place? I had exchanged my precious time for money, which was eventually exchanged for all these things that I did not even need anymore!

The Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy reminds us to be content with food and clothing (6:8). As I was trying to get rid of all I had gained, I read: Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). Contentment vs. consumerism…what a concept! The world says shop ‘til you drop for satisfaction. God says shop for what is necessary and find satisfaction in Him.

How do we experience contentment when we are being constantly bombarded by marketing techniques which promise happiness and gratification if we buy a certain product? Colossians tells us to set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). We do not belong to this world. Our citizenship is in heaven where we are to set our affections. Our desires are to be of heavenly things.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). Our treasures in heaven are safe, sure, and incorruptible. Salvation through Christ, wisdom, knowledge, and peace cannot be taken away.

The treasures on earth are prone to be lost. There are so many passing fads, as was proven with my garage sale. King Solomon, who was one of the wisest men that walked the earth amassed silver and gold and the greatest riches of anyone of his time. He denied himself nothing that his eyes desired and finally concluded, “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

May God help us amass spiritual treasures and find happiness only in Christ who secured at the cross riches for all who come to Him where eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and mind cannot even conceive what God has prepared for us who love Him. One day we will inhabit a Holy City and walk on streets of pure gold, see foundations of walls decorated with every kind of precious stone, and gates made of pearls. We will behold the brilliance of the glory of God. Let us find contentment not in mere things, but in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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