Luxury life, consumerism, and the life of faith [Podcast 5]
*** I DIDN’T EXPECT TO CHURN OUT SO MANY WORDS TO PARTNER THIS PODCAST – PLEASE READ THIS IN ACCOMPANIMENT WITH THE PODCAST BELOW
Assessing luxury
Recently, I was in a ZOOM conference call with some fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
We were discussing consumerism, luxury goods, and our buying habits in relation to Christian faith-founded marriage.
As always, it was interesting to hear everyone’s views.
When I was asked about my buying habits, I told the group that I’d been led to a minimalist life by God.
I was then asked a challenging question with a bit of comedy thrown in: “What if I had a loving spouse, who loved God, loved me, loved my novels 😁, but also loved buying lots of material goods?”
I responded that I would need to “correct her.”
Of course this response got some chuckling going.
‘Correction’ is a term we use in the faith to advise, relay God’s wisdom, and aid in edification.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17
Correction is meant to help someone—like good counsel—in seeing God’s Word more clearly; this is assuming that the correction is accurate to the Bible’s meaning.
Correction is not about rules, laws, or condemnation against a person, but it’s used to steer someone back on the path, providing clarity from the Bible in a place where they perhaps lacked that insight.
Edification or correction of any kind doesn’t apply to people who are outside the Christian body of the church.
God makes it clear in the following verses that we are NOT to judge anyone’s behaviour or activity if they’ve chosen an alternative worldview and/or lifestyle.
But to those in the church, what appears to be a rather harsh response, is given:
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you. 1 Corinthians 5: 9 – 13
Just to clarify, when this is spoken, we’re NOT talking about excommunication or any other human device that has been created out of these verses.
We’re talking about releasing someone who has professed that they stand for Jesus yet continues to repeatedly reveal an unchanged mindset.
As Christians, we all know that a very real Spiritual renewing of the mind happens, drawing us to naturally operate in true Kingdom selflessness and away from our selfish desires.
So when speaking of luxury, consumerism, or a habit of buying repeatedly, we’re potentially talking about an indulgent lifestyle for self-gratification, comprised of coveting, envying, greed, and gluttony; in essence, an unchanged mind that still pursues selfish desire.
I must make this clear; this is hypothetical. However, it’s hypothesis with an abundance of God’s Biblical wisdom to support it.
Please continue reading…
Luxury buying and purchasing habits as a Christian
When it comes to luxury-living in measure with the Christian faith, as far as I can tell, it has no place. But please don’t mistake my words. I don’t mean this as some rule, law, or moral judgement.
Luxury is defined as “a state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense.”
I don’t see this kind of lifestyle promoted in the Beatitudes or any of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5,6,7; words that reveal the Spirit-led life in all its fullness.
Also, I’ve rarely heard my Christian brothers and sisters speak of the fact that Jesus was homeless and truly lived on faith while on Earth.
Of course many love to use the argument that OT figures of significance like Abraham, Solomon, and David were rich.
To these people, I ask, what is your purpose for putting forth this argument? What do you hope to achieve when referencing the wealthy of the Bible?
I think the answer is obvious because it supports a desire that most of us have; to be financially free.
Statements that Christians might make to defend their entitlement to luxury goods or the habit of regular buying are:
“There’s nothing wrong with buying luxury things.”
“If God blesses you with a luxury house or luxury car, that’s okay.” (in support of buying a luxury good for one’s own pleasure)
To keep said-buyer protected under God’s will, Matthew 7 might be cited with the common phrasing, “we’re not to judge someone. If they want to buy luxury things, there should be no judgement.”
I admit, I have a serious problem with this and I don’t mean this in the sense of one side being right and another being wrong. I also don’t wish this article to manifest as though I were some frugal miser or condemning spirit.
I strongly believe there is a time to treat loved ones to enjoyments that go beyond their expectations; it’s part of the exhibition of one’s God-inspired love for family, friends, and enemies.
I believe we are to enjoy many of the things that God has put in this world for our good, healthy pleasure.
I also repeat, this is not about law, moral codes, or rules, despite the fact that we are advised, guided, and warned numerous times in Scripture about excessive spending, building up riches on Earth, and luxury lifestyle:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:33-34
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? Mark 8: 34 – 37
A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. Proverbs 29:7
when they see your pure and reverent demeanour. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewellery or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:2 – 4
From these verses, we can gather that there are psychological, sociological, humanistic, spiritual, and most importantly, eternal consequences of amassing riches or having one’s focus trapped in materialism.
These verses also talk about the priorities of a person of God. This is very clear.
I stress again – this is not law, ritual, religion, or moral code…
The Christian life is NOT about adhering to ritual, religion, law, or moral code.
I repeat this because under the influence of Scripture, one might adopt the extreme idea that Christians are supposed to be poor. They might also believe that when one becomes a Christian, they are to uphold some interpretation of Scripture that stresses avoiding luxury.
But…the Christian life is an ongoing transformation process or renewing of the mind, that brings God’s will into our thoughts and actions by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
We very naturally begin to want more of God’s will in our lives:
e.g. loving our neighbour;
helping the poor, sick, lonely, elderly, infirm, and mentally ill;
and sharing the Gospel message through word and deed.
Simultaneously, we crave less of our own desires (especially unnecessary luxury. Luxury by its very nature is unnecessary so it becomes increasingly irrelevant to us).
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
We begin to see the priority and urgency of resisting selfishness, engaging the battle of Spirit (selflessness) VS flesh (selfishness), and cheerfully obeying Jesus.
In practical application, we gradually desire to help a broken, suffering, unfair world over our own ambitions.
I must stress yet again this is NOT about laws or religious code against buying luxury goods or frivolous buying habits.
The law of Moses also known as the 10 commandments or the Perfect Law of God, was given to expose our inability to follow it, reveal our imperfection, and unveil our desperate need for God’s help in order that we might become selflessly-loving people.
We live by Spirit, day-to-day, transforming as God guides us through this life.
As such, our own wants change to a focus on needs, increasingly similar to the ways our Father in Heaven operates.
Therefore, the concept of “buying luxury goods is okay,” begins to transform.
It becomes something of an enigma to us to even be interested in luxury goods or compulsive buying through the change in our heart’s inclination.
The vast majority of the time, when we choose to go for luxury, it’s because we’re looking to say to the world:
“Look at me, see my worth, see my value, see that I’ve achieved something. Respect me. Admire me. Love me.”
It could also be simply to feel immense comfort and relaxation. However, God has already provided all the worth, value, respect, admiration, love, and comfort we will ever need in His Son’s death on the Cross – the ultimate sacrifice in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
We didn’t earn this. It was done while we were in a state of enmity toward God.
Sometimes, it amazes me that we as humans will attempt to justify behaviours that don’t align to the Christ-Crucified believer’s heart inclination – a heart for loving and helping others.
Surely if someone is buying new or second-hand things on a consistent basis, it suggests something about their heart’s priorities?
Does it not present an image if someone is buying luxury goods–a luxury house, a luxury fast car–things for superficial pleasure that have no purpose other than excessive comfort and happiness of the self?
It tells us something of where their priorities are placed; this in light of the sheer abundance of needy people in the world.
Also, how can a person who is gaining joy from consistent purchasing enjoy God?
One cannot have two masters.
Again, it must be stressed that this is a process of gradual revelation and illumination of God’s Word through those that have denied self, picked up their cross, and followed Jesus.
The beautiful transformation
If we’ve denied self, picked up our cross, and followed Jesus, we’re absolutely sure to see our priorities shift from selfish ambition to selfless operation.
A completely natural process of transformation will take place, where a person will want to focus on helping others with any wealth they amount.
Further, they will enjoy the privilege that God has appointed them to be servants, ready to love their neighbour in any way possible.
They won’t want to do anything out of [selfish ambition and vain conceit, but in all humility consider others better than themselves. They will desire to look to the interests of others alongside their own with an attitude becoming increasingly like Christ’s disposition, who renounced all manner of divine glory for the life of a servant to humanity.] Philippians 2:3 – 8
The Christian–who is more inclined to acceptance of habitual buying and luxury-good purchases–may then say:
“What if I just like luxury things for my happiness?”
“What if I just enjoy buying lots of things whether new or second-hand?”
“Who are you to judge me?”
To this I respond – why?
What is it that buying luxury goods does for you?
Why do you always need to buy?
What’s the purpose?
What’s the function?
The following verse comes to mind:
“I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”–but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23
As for the case for judgement of that person, we’re not to judge a person who stands outside the church or who hasn’t claimed Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Their hearts are unto whatever worldview or lifestyle they’ve chosen and God will judge those outside. But to a person who is in the church, there should always be teaching, reproof, correction and training in the Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 5:11 – 13)
For the regenerative heart, led by Christ, the luxury life or a habit of consumerism will look pointless in comparison to the overwhelming cry of the world’s pain and suffering.
This is the impact of Christ and His example on a softened, submissive, repentant, and teachable heart. After reading, meditating, and applying the Scriptures to life, how could we see things any other way ?
The regenerative heart
I repeat again, this is not about laws, rules, religious dogma, or morals.
This is not about whether a buying habit or purchasing of luxury goods is right or wrong.
This is also not about trying to meet a standard where people can compare, compete, and condemn over who is good and who isn’t.
This is about a regenerative heart within the human vessel; a person who progressively follows Jesus and as a result, sees their priorities, ambitions, and desires change from self-oriented goals of a worldly conduct to more selfless intentions and behaviour of a Kingdom-led existence.
When it comes down to the bare bones of habitual or compulsive buying, this transformation of mind, priorities, and intentions doesn’t question whether this excess is right or wrong.
This is because this question becomes irrelevant when the priorities in the heart are about God’s loving will for all men.
The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
For such a mindset, it’s a question of stewardship; stewarding what God has given to us responsibly and according to the will of God.
The question for the regenerating, renewed man becomes something along the following lines:
Why would a person use their money and time on unnecessary purchases of extravagance and excess when there is so much they could be doing with their affluence to help the poor, lonely, and sick, sharing the Gospel message in Word and action?
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25
Overall, I can imagine the Christ-crucified inner Spirit-man saying:
“Why are we even discussing luxury-purchasing? There’s so much more important activity to be done!”
One final point…
I discussed this topic of buying luxury goods with a relative and he asked me:
“How do we discern what living comfortably is from living in luxury?”
It’s a good question because people will have varying degrees over what they consider to be living within their means to living the life of expense, extravagance, and excess.
I said to him there is only one discernible aspect I can think of that can be used to measure this across the board.
I personally associate luxury with the unnecessary.
If a person has a house and finds that they aren’t using most of the rooms, then they’re probably living luxury, because they don’t need the rooms if they’re going unused the year round.
If someone has loads of clothes and all four seasons pass without them using those clothes, they probably don’t need them.
If someone has a luxury car that does ridiculous speeds yet they use this vehicle for going to and from work on the congested streets of London, you likely have an indicator that they’ve bought into an unnecessary luxury good.
Application of functionality and practicality VS the aesthetic and unnecessary are fantastic indicators of our heart’s orientation, intention, and priorities.
Check out my fifth newsletter (2020.10.6) for more about this journey…
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