The Seven Sins Of Suburbia Part 6
The Seven Sins of Suburbia | Part 6
(Haggai 1:2 – 8) The LORD of Armies says this, “These people say: The time has not come for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.”
The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai, “Is it time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” Now, the LORD of Armies says this: “Think carefully about your ways: You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to be happy. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it.”
The LORD of Armies says this: “Think carefully about your ways. Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house; and I will be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the LORD.
The Dangers of Consumerism
- Consumerism leads to misplaced priorities.
- Consumerism leads to constant dissatisfaction, which leads to a hunger for more.
- Consumerism leads to idolatry.
The Cure for Consumerism
- Adjust your priorities.
(Colossians 3:2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
(Matthew 6:19 – 21) Don’t 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 neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Matthew 6:24) No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and money.
- Be content and grateful for what you already have.
(1 Timothy 6:8) But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.
(Philippians 4:11) I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.
(Hebrews 13:5) Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, “I will never leave you or abandon you.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV) Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- Be generous with what you have.
(Psalm 119:36) Turn my heart to your decrees and not to dishonest profit.
(Acts 20:25) In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
