Consumer, Not Consumed.

Today marked the day that Lilly Pulitzer designs came to target. But they didn’t come to stay, they come for a few fleeting moments and were gone.

I was one of those poor schmucks who waited months for this event and alas came out of it empty handed. Of course I went right to Target’s Facebook page and left them a comment letting them know my deep disappointment…I am sure the CEO of Target was greatly moved by my feelings.

Here is Eric and me in the only real Lilly dress I will ever own,

 a gift from my mama for my rehearsal dinner

But this whole thing got me thinking about living in this world of consumerism as a follower of Christ. By the world’s standards, we never can have enough. There is always something we are missing, something that we absolutely need to be complete. Perhaps it’s a cheaply made, Target brand Lilly Pulitzer dress, or a nice car, or a perfectly Pinterest house. But it will never be enough.

I love clothes. I love putting outfits together and getting compliments when I end up looking decent. I love searching for things and finally finding them in an obscure online boutique. 

Part of my love of clothes is fueled by my need to be perfect, look perfect, be enviable to other women. Oh how I hate to admit that! But it’s true…

And so I wrestle with the idea of being consumed by consumerism. I say things like, “I really NEED a new pair of sneakers,” or “Eric, we NEED those sham pillows for the shams on our bed,” or “I NEED a new dress because the other 100 in my closet won’t work for this wedding we’re going to.”

I throw “need” around like I don’t even know the meaning of the word. So, I thought, maybe I really don’t. Thus, I consulted my friend Webster on his thoughts regarding “need”. Some of the definitions fit right into my selfish idea of need, but this one stood out to me: 

need- a physiological or psychological requirement for the well-being of an organism

Uhoh for me…I actually do not NEED most of the things that I claim I do.

CRAP.

Okay so I had to take a few steps back here. Because technically I already knew this, I just pretended I didn’t so I could go on living in my consumerist bubble.

The question becomes this: Is it wrong to have things? Want things? Buy things we don’t necessarily need?

Hebrews 13:5 says this: “

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:9-10 “

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

Matthew 16:19-21 “

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This next one was hard for me to swallow…

Luke 12:33-34 “

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

1 John 2:15-27 “

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

And my favorite: 

Phillippians 4:12 “

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.”

I don’t know about you, but I am getting the same message every which way I look in the Bible. Consumerism is consuming. You cannot serve both God and money/things. 

Does your consumerism consume you? Does it take you to a place where God is not needed? Do you worship things above your Savior? Let’s be honest here, because we all have at some point. But that is where the danger of consumerism lies. 

Lord Jesus help us to be consumed only by YOU. Give us the strength to live in a world where idols are everywhere. You are enough God, help us to feel that in every ounce of our being. You alone our worthy God. Thank you for the many things you have given us, let it not cloud our love for you or our willingness to live out your will for us here on earth. Amen.