Capitalism is the foremost economic system in the world because it assumes the fallen nature of mankind. Yes, we are largely self-interested and this defeats socialism, which in a truly Christian world would be the central economic system. But, whether you agree with that argument or not, we Americans are trained to be consumers.
"Have it Your way!"
"Go for the gusto!"
"Only pay for what you need."
Sadly, this also transfers into American Christianity. We give little thought to "picking a Church that meets our needs", to practicing those aspects of Christianity that appeal, or that we "need".
What's wrong with that?
Yes indeed, we are so deeply immersed in consumerism, we don't even think about it.
Jesus calls us to follow Him, and warns us that he doesn't even have a place to lay His head. Jesus calls us to put Him above our job, our distractions, even our families.
We have been "bought with a price", the blood of Jesus. We are called to serve others, whereas as a consumer, we are seeking others to serve us. That's what we pay for, service, right?
Jesus lays things out pretty clearly:
Love G^d with all our being.
Love our neighbor as our self.
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
And the big one, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matt 16:25
Or we can just continue to lay up treasure on earth.
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