Orgy of Consumption

by Glynis M. Belec

Ecclesiastes 3 says it best:

         There is a time for everything,

         and a season for every activity under the heavens:

         a time to be born and a time to die

         a time to plant and a time to uproot,

         a time to kill and a time to heal

         a time to tear down and a time to build,

         a time to weep and a time to laugh,

         a time to mourn and a time to dance,

         a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them

         a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

         a time to search and a time to give up,

         a time to keep and a time to throw away,

         a time to tear and a time to mend,

         a time to be silent and a time to speak,

         a time to love and a time to hate,

         a time for war and a time for peace...

     Looks to me like God has indicated in His Word that life happens and there is a designated time in this life for a whole bunch of things. But, for the life of me, I cannot see where it says in this passage that there is a time for greed and a time to go absolutely stark raving bonkers because advertising and mass media said so.

     Every year it seems to get worse. Black Friday rolls around and people lose their senses. In an effort to get 'stuff' cheap, some will stop at nothing in order to fall into the trap of consumerism.

     
     I read of an incident in Georgia where a few days ago, a man was killed because he tried to steal two DVD players. The security guard caught him and beat him so badly in the parking lot as he was allegedly trying to resist arrest. Last year a woman pepper sprayed  crowd of people because she wanted to get to the bargains first.

     In 2008 a store employee in New York was killed when shoppers stampeded. Security videos showed the 34 year old employee being knocked down as the doors opened, then as she was trampled by hundreds of shoppers rushing into the store.

    I just don't get it. What is it about our society that compels people to place such emphasis on material possessions? I like my nice house and what I have accumulated over the years, but the older I get, the more I think about how it's only stuff and it's a guarantee that none of my nice 'stuff' is going with me when I head heavenward! So why bother? I shake my head when I hear about how some people have been injured or have lost their life for the sake of trying to save a buck or two. 

      Jesus issued the big challenge when he said to that rich young ruler, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:22

     The rich young ruler couldn't do it. He was obviously a little too attached to things. I like to think that for me it is a no-brainer, but then I look at my home and there are some things that hold lots of precious memories or pretty gifts or meaningful items that have been passed down. Could I do it? Maybe. Hopefully. I already feel the urge to purge. So that has to be a good thing. 

     Perhaps the first thing I need to purge is my own heart. Yep, that's definitely a good place to start. I guess that's the part where it says 'a time to keep; a time to throw away!'  or maybe 'a time to be silent; a time to speak. Now if I could only strike a good balance. That would be a very good place to start.