Well done James Silley for the forth and final installment of consumerism. A sermon that incorporated the best of wikipedia! I'm glad I've grown out of taking notes coz I think I'd have no hand left. A strong argument that puts consumerism back into its place and exposed it for what it really is. I cant help but feel that this talk being the conclusion should have been the preambles - but then again maybe this is just the beginning and not the end!!
The verse-of-the-day was from Luke 12:22-34 where Jesus drives home the meaninglessness of worrying ie DONT DO IT!!!! I'd like to start at verse 21 where it advises on "being rich towards God". So wealth has nothing to do with money or mammon. As Christians we can be rich towards God without having a penny in our pocket - so the message of the Gospel does not discriminate across wealth. Every man is in the same boat - the richest person to the poorest person is equal in the eyes of God when they decide to follow Him. What they have in the form of money or mammon does not give them an advantage or a disadvantage - which is a relief!
So "being rich towards God" is right up there as a paramount characteristic of being a Christian. Luke 10:27 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, Love your neighbour as yourself" are a key to this. You cannot be "rich towards God" and not love your neighbour. "rich towards God" is another example of the strange way that God thinks! It's not a mentality "the world" understands. It's the opposite to what you expect. If we live a life where we put others first, then we will be rich - DER!!
So onto Luke 12:22-34 we get more reverse logic from God. Everything the world says we should worry about - God says dont worry about it! "do not worry about your life" "do not worry about what you will eat" "do not worry about what you will wear" "do not be afraid". This isn't usually something you fully grasp when you become a Christian - although, in terms of eternity there really is nothing worth worrying about because pritty soon we wont be here!!
But how difficult is it to stop worrying? How easy is it to be happy-go-lucky without appearing lackadaisical or lacking emotion? I am bothered if there is not enough money in the bank to pay the bills - but is bothered the same as worrying about it? I trust God for my future, and in terms of eternity 'bill paying' is meaningless!! But on earth I should take responsibility for my welfare - or should I? I cant say "I dont care" because I do care - but I do trust that God will do what His word says. And I dont think it is saying He will always give us what we want - he is saying "seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you" in the sense that we will receive "treasure" in heaven as we put more and more trust in Him.
The problem we have is the lack of reliance we can put in God when UK society provides us with all that we need to survive without attributing it to Him. So "in all circumstances give thank" - that way you can be sure that you will be greatful for all that He provides! And from our wealth always remember to give to the poor. Dont forget "I desire mercy not sacrifice" - its not just about giving money, its about showing mercy. In God's wierd reverse logic, I cant but help feel that as we start to persue showing mercy, our desire to invest in ones own interests will diminish and we will naturally become less of a consumer.
In conclusion, do not worry, trust God more everyday, be more thankful towards God, have mercy on those in need, and invest in God's bank!
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