Number 10: Materialism

Number 10: Materialism
"The placing in high regard of ownership and consumption as a family priority."

Families throughout the developed world are subjected to an unceasing flow of advertising, image-making, and plain old selling of consumer goods and services. And... we are buying it.

While the freedom to make consumer choices depends on this open market, the high pressure to buy more has other effects. These include consumer debt, lack of savings, and overextended parents.

Much of this commercial pressure is applied to reaching "decision makers" and "purchase influencers" as young as age two. Even mature consumers are falling prey to the trap of consumption that outstrips earning power or even earning potential. Feeding this fire are the seemingly unlimited offers of consumer credit sent through the mail and over the airwaves.

In a "stuff" -oriented culture, the Gospel is drowned out. We listen to our own insecurities and greed rather than finding fulfillment in Jesus Christ alone. A life of peace with God's provision is lost.

Rampant consumption also levies direct costs; families trapped in the race to satisfy wants and desires fall prey to financial stress, dissatisfaction, and bitterness.

The number 10 topic facing today's family, as expressed by individuals from a range of backgrounds, is "Materialism."

Resources Guide - Materialism

Part of the Series: Top 10 Issues Facing Today's Family...

Comments from survey participants

Materialism is being hurled at us in every television, billboard, radio, and internet screen we encounter, not to mention peer pressure. Too often parents substitute "presents" for "presence" which, I think, leads children to value things more than people.
                                                                      Vickie R.
                                                                      Springfield, GA

We suffer from Affluenza in this country--we have so much, and kids are learning to want more and more and more, without assessing the true value of "things" in life, or the fact that so many do without.
                                                                      Patty F.
                                                                      Henderson, NV

By striving to have more families are losing touch with each other.
                                                                      Russ W.
                                                                      Paducah, KY

In Malaysia, it is becoming common for both husband and wife to work. But this is done at the expense of the children who are left to fend for themselves during the greater part of the day. Little time is left to attend to the children's growing needs.
                                                                      Robert T.
                                                                      Malaysia

Selected articles from the LifeWay.com archives

Key Scriptures

Mark 10:23-25
Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" But the disciples were astonished at His words. Again Jesus said to them, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." Holman CSB

      View more Scriptures addressing Topic #10 in the Resources Guide... 
 
Resources to help you address this issue

A helpful resources guide has been assembled to help you address this issue in your home, church, or other areas of life.

      View the Resources Guide...

Helpful Ministry Links

• Dave Ramsey
  Financial Peace University is a 13-week, life-changing program that empowers and teaches you how to make the right money decisions to achieve your financial goals and experience a total money makeover.
   
• Crown Financial Ministries
  Crown Financial Ministries is a Christ-centered, Bible-based ministry whose core values include recognition of God's ownership of all things, the need to pray about everything, and the desire to equip and serve others with excellence while teaching in ways understood by all cultures and generations.