This Christmas season, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of materialism. Everywhere you look, there are sales and discounts and it is becoming irresistible to buy things you don’t really need. Materialism is a common sin that we all commit and in order to overcome it, we must address the problem head on.
The first thing to ask yourself is “Am I materialistic?” It’s quite a tricky question considering that we do allow ourselves to indulge on things we want from time-to-time. But, how will you know if you’re already sinning? I have some questions here that you can ponder on before we talk more about materialism:
- Are you a compulsive buyer?
- Do you overspend most of the time?
- Do you feel discontented with what you have in life right now?
- Are you spending more than you are saving?
- Are you spending all your money without saving for the future?
- Do you yearn to hoard money without any real need for it?
- Do you avoid giving tithes to the church/God?
- Do you find yourself cheating on your taxes just so you can get more money in your pocket?
- Have you used your credit card but cannot completely pay off your debt?
- Do you spend a lot of money on depreciating items?
- Do you feel nervous and uncomfortable when your pastor talks about money and finances?
If you answered yes to more than one question here, then you’re most likely committing materialism. The main problem with being materialistic is that it is deeply rooted in your heart. If your heart is not contented, logically, you will keep wanting more. And even if you have everything you need, you will still want more.
For materialistic individuals, money isn’t just something to help buy necessities and live a comfortable life. For them, the ultimate goal in life is to become rich. As a result, any Christian who commits this sin will find himself growing farther away from God. Here are some of the ways materialism affects one’s faith:
