"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21I've been thinking a lot lately about consumerism and materialism, and how I do not want to live my life in constant want of things. My feelings on this subject are very deep and personal, but I'll briefly explain.
My father worked so hard his entire adult life to give his family nice things. Since his passing, my sister and I have spent time at my parent's house trying to go through things to keep, sell, donate, etc. It's amazing how many things that were "must haves" at one time, now have no real value or meaning. Our culture has trends and styles that change with the season, and we often feel that we have to give ourselves, our homes and our lifestyles constant makeovers in order to keep up and stay current. Things are not often purchased for their functionality and durability, but rather for the statement they will make to others about who we are. This leads to an ever growing pile of "sell/donate/give away" items to make room for the new "must haves" as told to us by mass media marketing.
I say all this to say, when I weigh how hard my dad worked against the value and meaning of the things he worked to pay for, it doesn't balance out. If I had it to do all over again, I would have sacrificed my wants a little more, so that he could have worked a little less and had more time to enjoy life. I can't change the past, but I can change my way of thinking; choosing contentment and gratitude over want and lust for material things. I can work to create a new culture in my own family and raise my children to find joy and fulfillment in things other than what commercials and sales ads say they need. (Click here for some great reading on kids and commercialism.)
I am on the journey toward living a simple and more natural life. To become a better steward of the things the Lord has entrusted me with...my body, my family, my home, my time, my money, and the earth. To go against our culture of consumerism and materialism, and make a stand for what I feel is right for me and my family. Won't you please join me?
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'." Hebrews 13:5
Always,
Amanda
