Materialism

Materialism refers to an individual’s excessive interest in money and material possessions, the dictionary definition being “a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.”

Consumerism is a broader socioeconomic phenomenon emphasizing the the acquisition of stuff. Consumerism has redefined many societies, encompassing values, beliefs and habits.

Of consumerism, pastor and author Bryan Zahnd, writes: 

It takes a concerted effort on the part of the American Christian not to be seduced by the ubiquitous lure of consumerism.

It takes real conviction not to allow Christianity to be commandeered into a spiritual means to a materialist end. 

Consumerism is our antichrist, our beast, our false prophet and it takes tremendous moral and spiritual courage to oppose it.

Americans are easily impressed by all things big and successful. We find it almost impossible to gainsay that which has massive popular endorsement. So the assumption is that if a particular message can fill churches and arenas and propel books onto bestseller lists, then it must be a good thing. 

But there is always the danger that we are using Christianity to endorse the cultural assumptions of the age by simply creating a Christianized version of what is already popular, instead of engaging in the more difficult work of transforming the culture through the rigors of a costly and demanding Christianity.