Today Brad Ruggles, Terrace Crawford, Zak White and I are tackling the topic of materialism and consumerism on our blogs, each from a different perspective. I encourage you to read part one on Brad’s blog, part three on Terrace’s blog, and part four on Zak’s blog. Now, on with the show…

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One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn’t belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

Any Sesame Street fans out there? Remember the segment where they’d sing that song? Four objects would be shown, three of which were exactly the same, and a fourth that stuck out like a sore thumb. Even if you weren’t the most observant, you knew something was different about the fourth. My question for those reading the blog who are professed disciples of Jesus Christ is:

Are we any different?

  • Are we just as saddled with debt, thus unable to tithe?
  • Are we just as consumed with toys and tech that we don’t have the margin to give to things like creating clean water overseas?
  • Do our laser light shows on Sunday entertain or entreat to worship?
  • Are we so focused on working longer hours to earn more money we leave our families behind?
  • Do we find satisfaction, fulfillment and identity in places other than our bank accounts, summer homes and laptops?

If the transforming power of the cross has not also redeemed and transformed our wallets, if it does not confront and turn back “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life,” if the godliness we seek after doesn’t also include contentment, how else are we to have great gain?

Why would anyone listen to our words if our lives were not radically different?

I have not attained this perfect balance, nor do I ever expect to. But I am actively struggling to determine where I have been won over by the world, and where have I been redeemed by Christ. My great hope is that I will never give up the fight, never stop examining my motives, never be so willing to indulge myself without a moment’s hesitation. I hope I never stop wondering if I am OF the world, when I am called only to be IN the world.

Are you examining your financial motives? Or are you aimlessly following the current of culture?