The life in which Christians are living today is embedded in a consumerist society. Individuals in such a culture perceive good life as that which involves receiving favors and enjoying various experiences. Most fundamentally, consumerism comes with its rituals that not only form but also develop the consumer character. However, the disadvantage that comes with such a life is that it breeds discontent. Individuals tend to be in a perpetual state of anxiety because of the pressure that comes with the urge to have the latest or the newest possessions at hand. Although the Bible teaches that the two most fundamental tenets of a spiritual life include harmony and peace with others, consumerism sets a center stage of envy.
One of the most confused segments of the Bible involves Jesus’ teachings about materialism or wealth in the book of Mathew. Jesus asks a rich young man to give up his wealth and follow him but the young man turns away the offer. According to Gonzales, the message that Jesus has for the people is that they should stop glorifying possessions because riches cannot guarantee an individual the kingdom of God. Above all, Christians can only exist in the culture of consumerism if they can maintain a sense of peace. Peace begins with the right relationship with not only God but the fellow human being. However, the culture of consumerism or materialism threatens peace because it comes with various social, economic, and cultural inequalities.
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An individual deeply ingrained in the culture of consumerism will likely go against all the values that the Bible promotes. Instead of showing patience, an individual will focus on instant gratification. Instead of leveraging generosity, one will engage in a relentless maximization of pleasure and profit. The culture of impulse consumption can easily predispose an individual to sin. Some of the examples of misdoings that an individual will could show include envy, greed, covetousness, and sloth among others. According to the economic philosophy of God, the vision of every Christian should be to work together to ensure the realization of progress in God's creation.
The critical question remains as to whether human beings can harmonize the material and moral requirements to live a life that reflects the will of God. Two principal types of justices will play a significant role in this endeavor. One is the commutative justice which asks for respect for human dignity for individuals engaging in trade. Social justice, on the other hand, enables the combination of economic life and hope realism. Further, human beings will live an essential life when they adhere to the three principles of formal, synthetic, and material. The principle of material reminds individuals that they should not steal while formal emphasizes the value of mercifulness. The synthetic demand warns against the use of artificial technology in reproduction.
