True Confessions of a Convicted American Consumer
I finally did it.
I finally got rid of the stationary bike in my apartment that had long served as an impromptu clothes rack.
Even the shame of admitting I never used it could not overcome the freedom I felt when it was gone.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about consumption. The verdict: I am a big-time consumer.
A series of blog articles and books has led me to evaluate the amount of “stuff” I have in my life, and I don’t like what I see.
I have long felt convicted by Jesus’ economic teachings. Over and over in the gospels he says things like, “Sell everything you have, give the money to the poor, and then come, follow me.”
And I feel exactly like the rich young man in that story, who goes away discouraged and downhearted “for he had many possessions.”
That young man gave up the chance to travel and learn and live with Jesus because he loved his stuff so much.
His stuff kept him imprisoned.
I’ve finally realized that I’m running much the same risk. Continue reading