The Threat of Materialism to the Home

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The Threat of Materialism to the Home
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Defining materialism

• Physical matter onlyor, primaryreality
• Concept that lifes highest value to be achieved
  in material well-being
• Pre-occupation or stress upon material rather
  than intellectual or spiritual

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Popular writers on subject

• Randy Alcorn calls it AFFLUENZA
• Tim Kasser Vast numbers of us have been seduced
  into believing that having more wealth and
  material possessions is essential to a good life.
  We have swallowed the idea that, to be well, one
  first must be well off.

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Materialisms fruits

• Growth of gambling
• Upsurge in bankruptcies
• Divorce crisis
• Infidelity
• Epidemic of sleep disorders
• Pitiful giving patterns
• Engrossed by the grossly material

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Materialisms fruits

• Creation of a new class of orphans
• Murder of unborn babies
• Euthanasia
• Pandemic of depression/ other ills
• Hectic hysteria
• Upsurge in compulsive buying
• The Disneyland gospel

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We are afflicteddespite Bible warnings

• Materialism major talking point of Jesus
• Bible says more about money and possessions than
  heaven and hell
• Something on subject throughout Bible
• Twice as many verses on this subject as on faith
  and prayer combined
• Perhaps 1/5 of all Jesus is recorded to have said
  is on this topic

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Remember what Jesus said

• Parable of rich foolLuke 12
• Rich man and LazarusLuke 16
• Sermon on the mount
• Can I be just a little materialistic?
• No real conflict between provision of material
  and spiritual needs

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In Bible, you hear Jesus

• Call the materialist a FOOL
• Declare materialistic attitudes incompatible with
  citizenship in kingdom
• Define materialism as a heart fixed on the
  wrong goals and objectives
• Debunk popular myth of self-dependencecall for
  dependence on God

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EcclesiastesA Case Study in Materialism

• Solomonwealthier than even Bill Gatesfound
  materialism VANITY
• He exploredmirth, pleasure, fine dining,
  beautiful houses, numerous servants, big
  business, large bank accounts, collectibles,
  musical entertainments, power, position and
  prestigelike no one else could

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Materialism and the church

• Mega-churches are case studies in blending
  materialism and religion
• Hot-tub religion
• Look at how some brethren dress for worship, etc.
  and see affect on US

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Families who ignore Bible teaching do so at own
peril

• Can we be rich and faithful? Yes, but
• Possessions not primary problem but our desires
• Poor people afflicted by greed also
• We must learn to deny self
• Do not love the world or things of the world

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How do we avoid the trap?

• Put kingdom first
• We must work but not just await manna
• Choose to walk according to Spirit
• Teach children from early age
• We ALL want a good lifebut we must make a CHOICE
  as to how that will truly be obtained

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Matthew 1626

• For what profit is it to a man if he gains th
  whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will
  a man give in exchange for his soul?