Is Materialism Catching Up to Us? What to do?

[peregrinus_WA]

From the latest entry on my blog:

Is Materialism Catching Up to Us? What to do?

The out of control materialism that started in the 90’s has finally caught up with society and we are seeing the results of that these days. The foundation of the pyramid scheme of greed is starting to crumble and has a chance of accelerating society’s slide to implosion.

This, however, does gives us one more reason to reflect on our own lives and see where we can change for the better. The New Testament gives us many examples of how we can amend out lives to serve God better. For example:And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which?” And Jesus said, “You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mt. 19: 16-27 RSV)
Wealth can blind us to what is most important and that is serving God. How we obtain it and what we do with it is what is important. If we put our complete effort is obtaining material weath without regard to the consequences, that is not doing God’s will. In the save vein, if we hoard it and do not use it for the betterment of mankind, again we are not using it for God’s will.

Again, we can see in the New Testament how we are to act with charity towards our fellow man:Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ (Mt: 25: 34-40)
Charity towards our fellow man is sorely lacking in this materialistic society. It seem we replaced our charity with government programs (i.e welfare) to do the acts we were meant to do just so we can pursue our material gains. This has to change. What do we need to do? We can see, in part, what to do with some of Our Lord’s final words to Peter:When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (Jn: 21:15-17 RSV)
These words were meant for all of us, not just Peter. This is, by no means, complete, but only a starting point. Only by following the complete teachings out Out Lord, will we be able to obtain real wealth. That is, eternal life with Our Lord in heaven.

 

[Rammy]

Actually, this one has to be my favorite so far, and not doom and gloom. I have to admit to knowing you know your stuff, and can plainly see where people in society are placing things and situations between God and himself. You simply point these things out, and in the pointing, maybe you do not get a good response, i don’t know. But if not a good point, then the other has not examined their conscience, and have simply seen you as a busy body.

Not me, as i watch you, i see you very specific on what you write and say, are well learned and can bite the tooth off a snail if need be or prevolked. I however see that you are simply deeper in thought than most, and have no outlet but to share and ask…

Does the people of this world actually see what they are doing, and some are doing this blindly, and without thought, and some merely out of repitition and patterns in life. I never even knew i was personally at fault untill bills and wolves at my door were taunting, “i told you so!”

Pride, and repitition got in my way. We were living a lifestyle we could not afford, but yet i seen myself as poor earning about 20K/yr. We were living beyond this as nescesity seen it in my eyes. But downsizing was so humbling. saying need and want are easy, yet deviding the items in my home into need and want was so hard to do.

I gave most of the things away to needy family, and could not sell them knowing another might need them so badly that they could not afford to buy used…this felt good to help, and the reduction of clutter was cleansing.

Yet i still see this in my new place, and we scaled down again, and will again before xmas. Funny…the few games we kept are used a lot, compared to having 40 board games we never used.

I wonder if the overkill is simply stunting decision making and producing a huge array kids chanting, “i’m bored”

HOW on earth can you be? Overstimulated in one area or the next. And i learned a long time ago…"if you are bored, that is not my problem, i am not your entertainment committee, nor do i dance and sing for tips! You will have to entertain your own self…or clean my house…anyone game?"

Wow, the wind is then in my face? I felt ashamed at first letting go of so much, but in fact, we are more focused and happier.

Lana

 

[Highwayhound]

Two years ago the goal of getting rid of 50% of my stuff was achieved. So this year I said, “Why not?” to the challenge of another 50% reduction of stuff. This goal was met. With 4 months left in this year of 2008 I started trying for another 50% reduction. If successful the total of stuff will be 1/8 of my original total of stuff.

The results? Life is easier. More time is spent living than taking care of stuff. This exercise has been worthwhile and I would challenge anyone reading this thread to take the 50% challenge.

God bless

 

[DL82]

To elaborate on my answer: yes, and yes it can be reversed, but it’s gonna hurt.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

To elaborate on my answer: yes, and yes it can be reversed, but it’s gonna hurt.

Most definitely and that is why I answered the second. I do not believe the Materialists may not allow for the reversal

 

[peregrinus_WA]

Most definitely and that is why I answered the second. I do not believe the Materialists may not allow for the reversal

Ooops, that should be “I think the Materialists may not allow for the reversal”

 

[peregrinus_WA]

Actually, this one has to be my favorite so far, and not doom and gloom. I have to admit to knowing you know your stuff, and can plainly see where people in society are placing things and situations between God and himself. You simply point these things out, and in the pointing, maybe you do not get a good response, i don’t know. But if not a good point, then the other has not examined their conscience, and have simply seen you as a busy body.

Not me, as i watch you, i see you very specific on what you write and say, are well learned and can bite the tooth off a snail if need be or prevolked. I however see that you are simply deeper in thought than most, and have no outlet but to share and ask…

Does the people of this world actually see what they are doing, and some are doing this blindly, and without thought, and some merely out of repitition and patterns in life. I never even knew i was personally at fault untill bills and wolves at my door were taunting, “i told you so!”

Pride, and repitition got in my way. We were living a lifestyle we could not afford, but yet i seen myself as poor earning about 20K/yr. We were living beyond this as nescesity seen it in my eyes. But downsizing was so humbling. saying need and want are easy, yet deviding the items in my home into need and want was so hard to do.

I gave most of the things away to needy family, and could not sell them knowing another might need them so badly that they could not afford to buy used…this felt good to help, and the reduction of clutter was cleansing.

Yet i still see this in my new place, and we scaled down again, and will again before xmas. Funny…the few games we kept are used a lot, compared to having 40 board games we never used.

I wonder if the overkill is simply stunting decision making and producing a huge array kids chanting, “i’m bored”

HOW on earth can you be? Overstimulated in one area or the next. And i learned a long time ago…"if you are bored, that is not my problem, i am not your entertainment committee, nor do i dance and sing for tips! You will have to entertain your own self…or clean my house…anyone game?"

Wow, the wind is then in my face? I felt ashamed at first letting go of so much, but in fact, we are more focused and happier.

Lana

I am not in that position, but I am thinking of looking for another job that is less stress (that is for GF if he is lurking here ) and that will allow me more time for what is important. Of course, any job change will involve a cut in salary, but I am at the high end of my industry as it is. I am waiting to see how the work load will be after October.

 

[Nickkname]

Materialism has been around forever, so the fincianl crisis is really nothing new. How do you reverse it? Through prayer and penance.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

Materialism has been around forever, so the fincianl crisis is really nothing new. How do you reverse it? Through prayer and penance.

The first Catholics were able to do it. Why can’t we.

 

[Rammy]

I am not in that position, but I am thinking of looking for another job that is less stress (that is for GF if he is lurking here ) and that will allow me more time for what is important. Of course, any job change will involve a cut in salary, but I am at the high end of my industry as it is. I am waiting to see how the work load will be after October.

It is really about prioritizing…deeply! I had only thought i had priorities in order, untill the rug was pulled out from under me. I had no idea, with a fully paid off farm with 12 acres, house and stock, we could not even get help for a vehickle if we needed it.

So i lived life thinking, meh…we’ll just use the land as colateral…nope, not allowed as long as a business is on the land. So we were sol, and loosing a huge financial crunch.

My husband still does not have pending work for the next 6 months, as our farm is seasonal…so again…more reason than not to realize what is it that we really need, and what are we using to keep busy rather than get closer to god.

I vote for downsizing as best you can…and then again, and again. Once you do it once, with a good heart, the clutter being about talks to you to the point that you are ready to let go of more.

Highwayhound has the right idea…and i do believe this brings a humbling that was never there, or certainly lost in the clutter!

Lana

 

[redrosetea]

Yes . I think we are in for some tough times…it will teach us all what really matters. The whole world is going to have to swallow some bitter medicine…I feel sorry for those in the third World…I don’t know what will become of them…the rest of us can cut back