It is easy for us to find ourselves buying into the ever-increasing consumerism of our culture.

"I need this, this, this… and this…"

Consumerism:

NOUN

1. the protection or promotion of the interests of consumers.
2. the preoccupation of society with the acquisition of consumer goods.

Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of men are never satisfied

Madison Ave knows this and they fully exploit it.

In This Episode, We Look At:

A Subtle Creep

Consumerism can be very subtle: Think of all the areas in our lives where we have to "upgrade"—cell phones, online subscriptions, streaming services, food delivery services.

Our monthly expenses slowly creep up (Because "it's just another $20/month" right?) and we find ourselves saying "I can't afford…"

According to Creditloan.com, the average family spends $2,827 per year on entertainment which includes: fees/admissions, toys/hobbies, and audio visual services/equipment.

That's about $235 per month.

That isn't terrible unless you are struggling with debt, can't seem to save money, or otherwise have no idea where your money is going.

Not so Subtle Creep

Auto

$9,049 per year on transportation…

Ouch!

That's car payment/lease, Gas, Uber, maintenance, etc.

Hello $754/month!

Clothes

The U.S. apparel industry today is a $12 billion business and the average American family spends $1,700 on clothes annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Storing our Stuff

Americans have 3X the space than we did 50 years ago. Americans spend $24 billion each year just to store their stuff.

Even secularists agree that we would be happier with less stuff!

Balance

Even if you strive for the minimalist lifestyle, it's difficult to journey through life without some stuff.

I believe we easily forget that God's Word teaches us that our lives are merely vapors—here for a brief moment, then gone.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Wouldn't we focus more on eternity if we lived daily with the knowledge that our lives are indeed brief; and not the "flash-in-the-pan" life here on earth?

Resources and Links:

Graham Hill: Less stuff, more happiness

Improve Your Faith and Finances:

We can survive with less.

Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

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