Challenging the Idolatry of Consumerism

As we continue our series on resistance, we’re tackling something that’s all around us but often feels so normal we barely notice it. Yet, it shapes how we live, work, and even how we dream: consumerism.

Let’s start with a truth Jesus lays out plainly in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Jesus doesn’t mince words here. Wealth, or “Mammon” as some translations put it, is more than just money. It’s the pull to prioritize possessions, status, and the endless pursuit of “more” over God. And if we’re honest, it’s a trap we’ve all felt at some point. That pull to chase security, success, or happiness through what we can buy is a powerful master, one that can consume us if we’re not careful. I’m reminded of the storied conversation between the Lord and Cain in Genesis 4.6-7 after anger consumed Cain. “The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why do you look so resentful? If you do the right thing, won’t you be accepted? But if you don’t do the right thing, sin will be waiting at the door ready to strike! It will entice you, but you must rule over it.”

This isn’t just about personal greed; it’s systemic too. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 reads, “But people who are trying to get rich fall into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful passions that plunge people into ruin and destruction. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Notice the author doesn’t say money itself is evil. It’s the love of money, when wealth becomes our master, that leads to destruction. And we see that destruction everywhere: families stretched thin by rising bills, communities struggling under unfair systems, and people feeling unheard and powerless. So, what does this look like in our rural Ohio context? Let’s talk about it.

The Weight of Consumerism in Everyday Life

For many of us, the struggle is real. High utility bills eat away at already tight budgets, leaving families anxious about how they’ll make ends meet. Folks long for better-paying jobs or local businesses where they can invest and thrive. Yet, too often, the people in charge, whether at the federal, state, or local level, seem more focused on preserving the status quo than empowering those who need it most.

This creates a cycle. The harder life gets, the more tempting it becomes to believe the lie that if we just had a little more money, a bigger house, or the latest gadget, things would get better. Consumerism thrives on that anxiety, selling us the idea that we can buy our way out of hardship. But as Walter Brueggemann reminds us in “Sabbath as Resistance”, consumerism doesn’t offer rest; it demands more and more until we’re drained and distracted from God’s purpose for us.

Breaking the Cycle: Trusting in God’s Abundance

Here’s the good news: we don’t have to live like this. Jesus calls us to resist the pull of consumerism by trusting in God’s abundance instead of the world’s scarcity. This isn’t just about having faith that God will provide, though that’s part of it. It’s about living in ways that reflect that trust, individually and as a community.

Think about Acts 4:32-35. The early church didn’t cling to wealth for security. Instead, they shared everything so that no one was in need. That’s what Brueggemann calls material resistance: using what we have, not to hoard, but to bless others. When we live like this, we become a living example of God’s kingdom, where generosity and trust overcome greed and fear.

Practical Ways to Resist Consumerism

Let’s briefly look at four practical ways that we can resist the idolatry of consumerism:

Reevaluate what “enough” means

In a world that constantly pushes us to want more, let’s take a step back and ask: Do we really need that upgrade, that extra subscription, or that brand-new gadget? Simplifying our lives can free us to focus on what truly matters. I’ve been a willing victim of technology temptation. I’ve bought items I didn’t need to have but I fell into the trap of get it now while it is on sale. As I go through my moving boxes and realize how much useless items I have or have forgotten I had, I think about the wasted money of items I never really used and are now obsolete. 

Now, you do have to keep up with technology because the world isn’t going to stop while you pull out your computer from 1995 and try to dial-up on your landline. The reevaluation is to confirm that there is nothing wrong with upgrading as long as you are not attempting to fill a void with a purchase. Our life’s purpose is fulfilled as a disciple of Jesus because Jesus is enough, the foundation, and thankfully never will become obsolete.

Practice communal stewardship 

Look for ways to share resources within our community. Maybe it’s starting a tool library, organizing a clothing swap, or helping a neighbor in need. These small acts helps us see that we’re in this together and that God provides through our connections with each other. 1 Thessalonians 5.11 reminds us to “continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.” 

Invest in what builds up, not what tears down 

If local businesses or government initiatives align with God’s vision of justice and care, support them. At the same time, let’s be willing to challenge systems that prioritize profit over people. Speak up. Write letters. Advocate for fair policies that lift everyone up. We are seeing more and more people being defamed, denied, and defunded on the federal level which is now giving state governments cause to act with injustice towards the poor, the sick, the widowed, and the minority communities. 

In a time of overreaching government power, control, and scapegoating, I’m reminded of the quote by Pastor Martin Niemoller, “First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.” If what you are living through is possibly benefiting you and tearing “those people” down then the Christian worldview says to stand with those being oppressed even if it causes you pain and suffering. This is what Jesus did for us and as his disciples, we must do the same for those that we may have power and influence to help. 

Redefine success 

Resist the cultural pressure to measure your worth by your wealth. Instead, ask how your choices reflect God’s love. Are you building deeper relationships? Are you helping others thrive? Are you finding joy in God’s presence rather than in possessions? Success is seeing your fruit multiply while witnessing many people freely benefiting from the harvest. Yes, this will require a change in the cultural mindset of “me first” “others second” to “everyone first”. Let us not forget that in the kingdom of heaven the first will be last and the last will be first. Divine success utterly shatters the human conception of winning, divine success is focused on unity, not the golden ticket. This transformational success will lead to generosity in heart, mind, and spirit. 

Generosity as an Act of Resistance

Generosity is one of the most radical ways to resist consumerism. When we give, our time, money, or talents, we declare that our trust isn’t in wealth but in God. And this generosity doesn’t have to be extravagant to matter. Think of the widow’s offering in Mark 12. She gave just two small coins, yet Jesus praised her because she gave all she had, trusting God completely.

In the same way, our small acts of generosity can transform lives. Maybe it’s helping a family struggling with high bills or donating to a cause that fights wealth inequality. Maybe it’s simply taking the time to listen to someone who feels unheard. Each act of generosity is a step toward the kingdom of God.

Encouragement

Siblings of God, Jesus invites us to choose a better master. Not one that demands more and more until we’re empty, but one who gives life in abundance. When we resist consumerism and embrace God’s vision for our lives, we find freedom, freedom to live simply, love deeply, and give generously.

As we close, I invite you to reflect on the words of the hymn ‘Take My Life and Let It Be.’ What would it look like for you to offer your time, resources, and heart fully to God? Or consider the profound words of ‘When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,’ which remind us that Christ’s ultimate act of generosity calls us to give our all in response.

Let’s go forward today resisting the lie of consumerism and embracing the truth of God’s abundance. Together, we can be a community that reflects God’s love in a world that desperately needs it. Amen.

Let’s pray: Loving God, we thank You for reminding us that we are not bound to serve wealth or possessions but are free to serve you. Help us to resist the pull of consumerism and to trust in your abundance. Guide us to live generously, to care for one another, and to find our worth in your love rather than in material things. Teach us to be stewards of your creation, sharing what we have so that no one is in need. May our lives reflect your grace and mercy as we seek to build your kingdom here on earth. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.