Why Christians should guard against materialism
A materialistic worldview is one in which one places excessive importance on material things and bodily comfort, typically at the expense of more spiritually significant qualities. The danger of materialism is not just that it can lead to greed and selfishness, but also that it can alienate us from our relationship with God. This is just one of the ways that materialism can be dangerous.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to follow Jesus and place a higher value on spiritual matters than we do on earthly riches. The words of Jesus can be found in Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where thieves can break in and steal, and where moth and rust can destroy things; instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy things, and where thieves cannot break in and steal. Because wherever you put your wealth, that is where your heart will also go.”
This verse serves to remind us that our physical goods are transient and are subject to loss or theft, whereas our spiritual existence is eternal and cannot be taken away from us. As a result, we need to place our primary emphasis on cultivating our connection with God and making investments in spiritual treasures that are imperishable.
The development of pride and a sense of superiority are two additional negative outcomes that can be caused by materialism. In Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Moses advises the Israelis not to forget God when they become prosperous. He says, “Watch lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this prosperity.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth.”
This chapter serves as a reminder that everything good in our lives comes from God, and that we should not be proud of our own accomplishments or allow them to make us arrogant. Instead, we should thank God for all the riches he has bestowed upon us and use our prosperity to bring glory to God while also assisting those in need.
Last but not least, the pursuit of worldly goods can divert our attention away from our genuine mission in life, which is to love and serve God. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul issues a stern admonition against the lust for money, saying, “Those who have the ambition to amass wealth put themselves in jeopardy by falling prey to temptation, being caught in a trap, and harboring a multitude of other vain and destructive desires that lead to ruin and destruction. Because the pursuit of wealth is one of the most significant contributors to many forms of immorality. It is because of this need that some people have strayed away from the faith and wounded themselves with a great deal of pain.”
This verse serves as a reminder that the pursuit of wealth might distract us from God and cause us to overlook our spiritual life if we are not careful. Our connection with God should take precedence over the pursuit of monetary riches, and our focus should be on how we may serve Him.
As a Christian conclusion, I want to stress the need of avoiding the pitfall of becoming overly materialistic. Instead, we ought to center our attention on cultivating our relationship with God, expressing gratitude to him for the many blessings he has bestowed upon us, and employing our resources in such a way that glorifies him while also assisting others. Let us not forget the words that Jesus spoke in the book of Matthew chapter 6 verse 33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
