The God of this Age

I was sharing with a girl at church one Sunday about this new topic of Bible study I was investigating. She was enthusiastic about the need for it, and stated with much conviction: “Materialism is the god of this age!”

She's so right. Even if you’re in campus or high school and don’t have a lot of money to give into it, you know it. And it’s not just an American or a 21st century problem. Look at people in the days of Jesus, there were those he spoke with who were wealthy, pursuing comfort and happiness, and promoting themselves.

Why is it in our sinful nature to be like this? I’m not any kind of scientist, but I do know that we want to be like others, we want to be respected and/or admired by people. I can sit around all day and say that “I don’t care what people think of me!” but I do. And when I see that beautiful pair of designer shoes that I can’t afford and can’t wear anywhere, I still want them, because their beauty would then become my beauty! And after looking through Vogue, I feel hopelessly behind-the-times when I think of what’s in my closet!

So we start pursing fashion. And as we grow older and perhaps advance in making more money, we think we may deserve it, or are entitled to it. Or we may be out to “prove something” to the world. It’s difficult to pull away from this way of thinking once we’re involved in it.

Here are some counter-measures from the Word!

“Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ... And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ... ‘What shall we wear?’”

“The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, ... not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

I like these scriptures. What I take away is:

• my body is more important than clothes. I need to take care of my weight and
  health.
• Jesus’ words aren’t so much about fashion, but about the basic need of being dressed. (but he also says later that the people of this world “run after all these things.”)
• don’t let clothing (or other material possessions) be a source of pride, causing dissension and jealousy to those around us.
• if I want to pursue clothing because I am feeling selfish and
  prideful ... don’t pursue it!